Cargill employee tests positive for COVID-19

FRIONA — Cargill Meat Solutions officials on Monday confirmed an employee at its Friona facility has tested positive for COVID-19.

Due to privacy laws, the company gave no information on the employee other than to say the employee was receiving appropriate medical care and remains a valuable member of the team.

According to a company spokesman, standing policy requires a 14-day quarantine for any employee who tests positive or is exposed to COVID-19, or any team member who comes into contact with a team member who tests positive. The company covers co-pays for testing and provides up to 14 days of additional paid leave for such circumstances.

Cargill declined comment on whether it sent any other employees into quarantine in accordance with that policy.

The facility remains open, and weeks ago adopted various safety measures because of the virus, officials said.

Those safety measures include enhanced cleaning and sanitizing, temperature testing of employees, face masks for all employees, increased distance between employees, closing the facility to the public and shift flexibility for employees.

Additionally, the company has implemented temporary wage increases and bonus incentives until May 3.