Iowa Beef Processing Plant Shut Down Due to Positive COVID-19 Tests

An Iowa beef processing plant is closed after employees tested positive for coronavirus.

National Beef in Tama first had an employee test positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, April 2. The Times-Republican said at the time the worker was under self-quarantine and National Beef was working with the Iowa Department of Public Health. Eleven days later, the plant is now closed after more employees tested positive and others have symptoms.

The company moved up normal cleaning of the National Beef Plant to last week, according to Progressive Farmer. Even though it impacted processing at the plant, National Beef continued to pay approximately 850 employees.

National Beef will be closed all this week after what's described as "numerous" workers tested positive. Fox 11 also reports others have "flu-like symptoms." The plant is expected to reopen next Monday, April 20.