Inter-County Nursing Service is actively engaged in a COVID-19 response with Northern Pride Inc. In collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Health and several other partners, Inter-County Nursing is coordinating testing for all employees.
On Tuesday afternoon, Inter-County Nursing provided a press release regarding the outbreak. It noted that Northern Pride, a turkey processing facility in Thief River Falls, has had a total of three employees who have tested positive for COVID-19. Two of those cases are active at this time. The first two cases had contact with a positive case outside of the workplace. Testing occurred in the immediate work area for any potential exposure in the workplace per MDH guidance. Out of that testing, one employee tested positive.
Testing will continue to occur throughout this week and will help determine the extent of exposure and transmission. All employees considered to be close contacts are quarantined.
The Times has contacted Northern Pride for comment; however, that message hadn’t been returned.
Northern Pride, and any food processing facility, is considered critical infrastructure. Several strategies have been in place to keep Northern Pride operational and at the same time keep employees safe and minimize spread of COVID-19.
In its press release, Inter-County Nursing said, “Our community and region is experiencing a significant increase in cases and we are seeing a majority of the spread between family, friends and gatherings, which unfortunately then also spreads into the workplace.
“Inter-County Nursing Service has been working with Northern Pride since the onset of this pandemic, and they have done a great job of implementing strategies for early detection and to minimize spread and have done so successfully for six months.
“As COVID-19 continues to spread in our communities, we must all remain vigilant to keep those around us safe and help slow the spread of the virus. We urge the community to continue to practice good hand washing, social distancing, wear a mask, stay home as much as possible and get tested if you are feeling sick.”