The meat and poultry industries are going through COVID-19 outbreaks. USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting tracking stated that as of the week of May 7, there were 10,000 COVID-19 cases at meatpacking plants around the U.S. And, at least 170 plants in 29 states now have had at least one worker test positive for the virus.
Just a week earlier on May 1st, the Centers for Disease Control reported 115 meat or poultry plants in 19 states had outbreaks. Factors potentially affecting risk for infection include difficulties with physical distancing, hygiene and crowded living, and transportation conditions.