200 Ohio Workers At Dole Plant Test Positive For COVID-19

SPRINGFIELD, OH — Nearly a quarter of all employees at a Dole Fresh Vegetables plant in Ohio have tested positive for the new coronavirus, the Springfield News-Sun reported. At least 200 workers have contracted the virus.

Gov. Mike DeWine confirmed the surge in positive COVID-19 tests during a news conference on Wednesday. Testing began in earnest at the site on Saturday, as Dole management tried to assess and slow the virus outbreak.

An employee at the Springfield plant first tested positive for COVID-19 on April 22. Since the start of the virus' spread at the plant, 260 Clark County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the county health department.

The plant will continue to operate, though new health and safety precautions will be implemented, a Dole spokesperson told the Associated Press.

“Of course, as an essential business, we are striving to get salads to people around the country, but are focused on providing a safe and healthy workplace for our employees and their respective families,” California-based Dole’s statement said. “The safety of our employees, contractors, families, communities and products remains Dole’s top priority.”

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 42,000 Ohioans have contracted the virus. At least 2,600 Ohioans have died due to complications caused by COVID-19.