34 test positive in National Frozen Foods outbreak

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) — A coronavirus outbreak at the National Frozen Foods plant in Albany has resulted in 34 COVID-19 cases including 30 workers and four family or household members, Linn County Public Health said.

Production at the facility was expected to resume by Thursday afternoon, the Democrat-Herald reported.

The data on the number of cases at National Frozen Foods in Albany and other information was shared voluntarily by the company, officials said.

Production has been voluntarily shut down at the plant since April 23, after eight employees and two family members tested positive for COVID-19.

More employees developed symptoms, and the caseload increased. On Friday, National Frozen Foods tested 191 employees even though they were asymptomatic. An additional 10 employees tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.

National Frozen Foods has been working with Linn County Public Health and the Oregon Health Authority to respond to the outbreak. This included the temporary closure, COVID-19 testing for employees and a screening questionnaire to be completed by plant employees upon returning to work, officials said.

Additionally, National Frozen Foods ordered additional personal protective equipment for employee safety, completed a walk-through of the plant with Linn County Environmental Health inspectors and partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure safe food processing, according to the news release.

The Albany plant employs over 300 people.