Over 1,100 test kits from the Tyson Foods plant in Columbus Junction were completed this past weekend, and the results have been released. Governor Kim Reynolds announced 27 new COVID-19 cases of employees from the Tyson Foods plant. This outbreak is one of many meat packing plant outbreaks in Iowa, including others in Perry, Tama, and  Waterloo.

The Columbus Junction plant suspended their operations for two weeks due to a sharp increase in cases at the plant. No official statement has been released regarding a continued suspension of operations. Communications Manager Liz Croston says the employees were paid throughout the suspension last week, and efforts to deep clean and sanitize are being implemented.

Reynolds stated in her daily press conference on Monday that she believes these plants are essential to Iowa’s economy and the food supply chain at this time and no executive orders on the immediate shut down of plants will be released at this time. In total, Louisa County has 215 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and two deaths. Louisa County has had 449 people tested, meaning nearly half of those tested have the virus.