By Beacon Staff
Shearer’s Foods has officially confirmed a case of COVID-19 at its West Burlington plant.
In a press release sent Tuesday night, Shearer’s Food officials said the employee who was diagnosed with COVID-19 was asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
“The team member did not come in contact with the product and there is no food safety risk. People who have been asked by the company to stay at home in quarantine, under an abundance of caution, will continue to receive pay and benefits during their quarantine period,” said Kimberly Davenport, corporate director of Shearer’s Snacks corporate office in Massilon, Ohio.
Davenport did not say when the employee was tested or when they became ill. Employees who spoke to The Burlington Beacon on the promise of anonymity said a second case was confirmed Monday night. Company officials have not responded to those reports yet.
Tuesday night’s press release confirms a Friday, April 17, story by The Burlington Beacon, in which anonymous plant workers said an employee/management meeting was held that same day to inform employees of the confirmed coronavirus diagnosis.
“We have taken all necessary steps to identify and notify individuals who worked closely with the team member diagnosed with COVID-19 and have asked them to self-quarantine at home for a period of 14 days,” Davenport said.
Davenport did not identify the nature of the employee, though several line workers told The Beacon the diagnosed case is a maintenance worker.