Tyson Foods Inc. is launching a new, nationwide COVID monitoring strategy, part of ongoing health and safety efforts to combat COVID-19, according to a July 30 news release.
The new strategy also expands its occupational health staff, including a new chief medical officer position.
The comprehensive COVID monitoring strategy was designed with the assistance of outside medical experts and includes ongoing, data driven COVID testing of workers without symptoms, as well as those who exhibit certain symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has the virus.
“While the protective measures we’ve implemented in our facilities are working well, we remain vigilant about keeping our team members safe and are always evaluating ways to do more,” said Donnie King, Tyson Foods group president and chief administrative officer.
“We believe launching a new, strategic approach to monitoring and adding the health staff to support it will help further our efforts to go on the offensive against the virus,” he said. “Adding more resources and technologies reinforces our commitment to protecting our team members, their families and plant communities.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
KATV Channel 7 recently reported that a Tyson Foods plant worker at Pine Bluff spoke out about her health concerns working during the coronavirus pandemic and her other co-workers have similar concerns.
According to a report released by the Arkansas Department of Health, as of July 20, there were 21 total businesses in Arkansas with five or more active COVID-19 cases, with 16 of those from poultry businesses, a report from The Commercial said recently.
Meanwhile, Tyson’s July 30 news release said the company has been using testing as a tool to protect workers and has likely been involved in more testing than any other company in the country.
“Already having tested nearly a third of its workforce, the company plans to test thousands of workers every week across all of its facilities. Currently, less than one percent of Tyson Foods’ U.S. workforce of 120,000 team members has active COVID-19. The company is continually tracking active COVID-19 cases involving company team members as well as the case levels in the communities where the company operates,” according to the release.
The new monitoring strategy Tyson is implementing was designed with input from Matrix Medical and is consistent with CDC guidance.
To support the effort, Tyson has created a chief medical officer position and plans to add almost 200 nurses and administrative support personnel to supplement the more than 400 people currently part of the company’s health services team. The additional nurses will conduct the on-site testing and assist with case management, coordinating treatment for team members who contract the virus.
“What we’re adopting is a strategic, ongoing approach to combatting COVID-19,” said King. “It involves weekly testing of team members at our facilities to monitor for the presence of the virus. By using data science to test a statistically sound sample of team members, we have a better chance of staying ahead of any potential virus spread and protecting our teams and communities.”
Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International, commented on the new procedures.
“As the largest union for America’s meatpacking workers, we welcome this important step by Tyson Foods, which demonstrates the leadership needed to strengthen COVID monitoring across the industry,” Perrone said. “UFCW is urging all companies in the industry to follow Tyson’s lead and take immediate action to expand COVID monitoring as we work to flatten the curve. Together, we will continue to look for new and better ways to protect the health and safety of the brave frontline workers who are so important to the nation’s food production system.”
The testing program includes three categories:
STRATEGIC, ALWAYS-ON MONITORING. Team members who have no symptoms may be selected for testing based on an algorithm-based selection process. The number tested each week will be dynamic and adjusted based on factors, such as the number of positive cases involving plant workers as well as people in the community.
SYMPTOMATIC TEAM MEMBERS. The company conducts health screenings daily as team members arrive for work. Those found to have symptoms will be tested using CDC guidance.
CLOSE CONTACTS. Team members who have come into close contact with co-workers (or non-Tyson personnel in the workplace) who have symptoms or have tested positive will be tested according to CDC guidance.
Details: TYSONFOODS.COM.