Over 10,000 cases of coronavirus are linked to meatpacking plants

The number of coronavirus cases tied to meatpacking plants passed 10,000, according to USA TODAY and Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting tracking. At least 170 plants in 29 states have had one or more workers test positive for the coronavirus. Some of those workers also have infected others, which is included in the count. At least 45 workers have died. As a result, at least 40 meat slaughtering and processing plants closed. As a result of the closures, meat shortages in some parts of the country are seen. President Trump issued an executive order to keep the plants open. At least seven coronavirus-affected meatpacking plants shut their doors since the April 28th executive order. Red meat production has shown some signs of improvement over the past week, with 46,000 more hogs and 10,000 more cattle slaughtered Wednesday than a week earlier. However, weekly production is still down 36% from the same time last year. Wendy’s, the chain restaurant, has altered its menu, and Costco has limited how much meat its customers can buy. @ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2020/05/06/meatpacking-industry-hits-grim-milestone-10-000-coronavirus-cases/5176342002/