The Greeley, CO. plant operated by JBS USA has reported approximately 40 cases of COVID based on diagnostic testing. This plant was the subject of labor unrest and periodic shutdowns during the height of the March and April 2020 COVID outbreak.  The current problem will be limited by the fact that 80 percent of the workforce has received two vaccines with approximately one third regarded as fully vaccinated with a booster dose.  The plant requires wearing of face masks, conducts health screenings and offers drive-through testing and conducts random surveillance.  According to a JBS spokesperson, the recent cases, presumably due to the Omicron variant, have either been mild or asymptomatic.  JBS workers at the Greely plant have received vaccines since March 2021.

Weld County, the location of the Greely plant, recorded a COVID incidence rate of 20 per 1,000 over a 14-day period compared to a slightly higher level statewide.

The current limited outbreak should demonstrate the value of vaccination in a plant setting. Accordingly it is hoped that data will be released indicating the vaccination status of those who are diagnosed with COVID and those hospitalized to confirm the value of vaccination of workers  required to operate in close proximity.