Coronavirus Groton: 32 Electric Boat Workers Wait For Results

GROTON, CT — Electric Boat employs about 14,000 workers between its Groton shipyard and operations at Quonset Point in Rhode Island. Company president Kevin Graney said Monday he is frustrated by "significant delays" in coronavirus testing for 48 employees who had symptoms. He added that despite reports to the contrary, results have "not been rapid."

Graney said results for 16 workers came back negative for the coronavirus. But there are no answers on the remaining 32 employees.

"I am frustrated by the delay in test results, and I know you are too," Graney said in a letter to workers.

There have been no confirmed coronavirus cases at Electric Boat. Graney said that as they wait for results, the employees who have been tested are self-quarantining, as are workers who may have been in contact with them.

He said workers generally "understand the mandate from the Navy and the nation to continue our critical work."

"By maintaining our strict protocol for people exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, along with our actions to reduce density of people within the workplace, like adapting to shift work, telework, virtual meetings and other forms of social distancing, we are giving ourselves every chance to reduce the potential impact for spreading this disease," Graney said. "You are staying focused and delivering on our commitments. I’ve visited our shop floors and work areas and think that, in some ways, our work is helping all of us to maintain some normalcy while many parts of our lives are not normal."

He said workers who have had "close personal contact" with anyone who's tested positive for COVID-19, or anyone with symptoms should "get the proper care, stay home to protect your teammates and your community, and contact your supervisor."

Last week, during a radio interview, Gov. Ned Lamont said that essential businesses that produce goods for national defense, like Electric Boat, Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky, are taking employee temperatures when they come to work.

Workers at Electric Boat have said they have not had their temperatures taken, nor have they seen others having their temperatures taken. Patch has reached out to EB for clarification. Check back for updates.