By Beacon Staff
Despite a spike in positive novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases at meat processing facilities, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said on Monday that plants will remain open.
Reynolds said shuttering meat processing plants isn't an option and warned it would be devastating for farmers who are raising hogs and for the overall food supply. According to the Iowa Starting Line, the Tyson Foods plant in Columbus Junction is slated to reopen after being closed due to workers testing positive for COVID-19.
"If we aren't able to move them through the process, at some point we are going to be having to talk about euthanizing hogs. And we are not that far from it. And it will be devastating, not only for the food supply but also for the cost of food going forward," Reynolds said.
A total of 34 of 2,400 workers tested positive for COVID-19 at the JBS pork processing plant in Marshalltown, a city official said on Monday.
The Des Moines Register reported Marshalltown Mayor Joel T.S. Greer said he learned of the positive tests from management at the facility.