Another George's employee tests positive

June 26, 2020
Sheila Harris

     The Barry County Health Department is reporting that one individual who is an employee of the George's Processing
plant in Butterfield has tested positive for COVID-19. The person is not a Barry County resident; the case is
believed to be the result of community spread in a neighboring county. The individual is under an isolation order
and close contacts are being contacted and, if appropriate, ordered to quarantine. Those contacts and any
additional cases will be monitored daily by the Health Department in the County of residence.
     Roger Brock, Administrator of the Barry County Health Department said, “we are working closely with company
officials and the State Department of Health and Senior Services to determine if any additional efforts are
necessary.”

     George’s implemented extensive efforts at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid infection and
prevent spread if an infection occurred. Those measures, which continue to be in effect, include enhanced entry
screening, required face-coverings, physical-distancing, physical barriers in area of limited distancing, frequent
daily enhanced cleaning of common spaces, as well as an enhanced daily deep-cleaning of the facility.
     Additionally, staff who may be ill are instructed to remain home and consult a physician. The plant has provided
access to virtual visits and additional paid time off to ensure people do not work when ill. Roger Brock and David
Compton noted that the efforts of the company to manage a large essential workforce in face of a pandemic has
been exceptional.

     "Their efforts have been, and continue to be, focused on protecting their employees, families, partners,
and our community," Compton said.

     Community-wide COVID-19 testing is available free on June 29 in Cassville. Register online at
https://health.mo.gov/communitytest or by calling 877-435-8411.

     State of Missouri and Barry County Phase 2 reopening began June 16 and remains in effect until June 30, 2020.
Those rules include recommendations to maintain physical-distancing, required source-control masking in certain
circumstances, and enhanced hygiene practices. Persons at a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, including
those greater 65 years of age, those who are immuno-compromised, or who have chronic medical conditions should limit
travel and wear a cloth face-covering in public. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extraprecautions/
groups-at-higher-risk.html)