Three employers in recent days have reported staff testing positive for COVID-19.
According to media reports, Perdue confirmed that its Milford chicken processing plant was closed temporarily after two employees tested positive. In keeping with CDC practices, the plant will undergo deep cleaning, opening on Tuesday,
To the north, the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) on Monday announced that a staff member working at Ferris School has tested positive for coronavirus.
The individual has not reported to work for an extended period of time. However, as is the case with any positive test result, once informed the department began the implementation of notification and cleaning procedures.
Ferris is a high-security facility for youthful offenders. Ferris has taken additional steps that include limited face to face contacts and protective gear for community-based staff.
Other reports continued to trickle in that seem to indicate the widespread nature of the illness.
WDEL reported that a COVID-19 case was reported at the state-owned Governor Bacon Health Center in Delaware City. The center is in the process of being sold as redevelopment takes place in the area around the old facility. Delaware Health and Social Services did not initially respond to a request for comment.
DelawareOnline reported staffers at ChristianaCare, the state’s largest private employer, tested positive. A request for comment was submitted through their media interview system.
State health officials typically do not comment on cases that do not involve an outbreak of positive tests in a care facility. Cited are privacy concerns.
Late last week, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki announced that a Wilmington Police Officer is the third city employee to test positive for the coronavirus.
The officer, who has not been at work at police headquarters on Walnut Street since March 15 and is at home in self-isolation.
The officer who tested positive did not have duties that took him outside police headquarters to interact with the public.
As an extra precaution, Mayor Purzycki said the City is deep cleaning the area where the officer worked.
State health officials do not list cases that might affect workplaces. Instead, individual employers typically release statements or confirm reports in cases where a number of employees are affected.
The first batch of cases took place within the University of Delaware community in Newark. The state has also seen outbreaks at two long-term care facilities.
The scattered nature of cases outside of the two above examples indicates that community spread of the virus has taken place, leading to restrictions that include a stay at home order by Gov. John Carney.
