By Beacon Staff
Two Tyson Foods employees died due to a novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) outbreak that has swept through the workforce at the Columbus Junction plant.
The deaths of the Tyson workers are the first known to be linked to an outbreak at a meatpacking plant in Iowa. The company said that it was "deeply saddened by the loss of two team members" and that their families were in its thoughts and prayers.
The plant has been shut down since April 6, when Tyson announced that more than two dozen workers were infected. Since then, 148 people total have tested positive in connection to the outbreak.
The company said Monday that it would continue the plant's suspension this week after more workers tested positive.
— The Associated Press contributed to this story.