A report on the epidemiology of COVID-19 among agricultural workers in the Salinas Valley provided information on the incidence rate, risk factors, and possible preventive measures.  The White Paper was prepared by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health and medical professionals from the Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas who recruited participants.

The report evaluated 1,091 agricultural workers of whom 13 percent tested positive for COVID-19 between July and November.  This rate should be compared with a three percent positive value among California residents during the corresponding period.

It was disclosed that 57 percent of participants in the survey who reported COVID-19 symptoms continued working despite their condition.  The major reasons for not isolating were fear of losing pay or their jobs or pressure from employers.

It was encouraging to note that most workers reported that their employers did implement preventive measures including providing hand-washing stations, gloves, and face coverings, but almost half reported that employers did not screen for COVID symptoms including temperature at the beginning of each shift.

Dr. Brenda Eskenazi, Director of the UC Berkeley Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health, noted that the conclusions of the white paper, sressed the need to provide financial support for workers in the event of their contracting COVID-19 to allow isolation and prevent transmission to coworkers.