How bad is it at Belvidere Assembly Plant?

COVID-19 cases investigated at Belvidere Assembly plant

MOST POPULAR

13

By Ken DeCoster
Rockford Register Star

Posted Aug 8, 2020 at 1:58 PM

Health chief urges precautions for those traveling to and from virus hot spots.

ROCKFORD — Health departments in Boone and Winnebago counties are investigating positive cases of COVID-19 associated with the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Belvidere Assembly plant.

Officials did not say how many employees at the plant have tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.

The FCA plant, one of the region’s leading employers, draws workers from a wide swath of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin counties just north of the state line are reporting higher rates of positive tests for COVID-19 than the Illinois counties to the south.

In a joint statement issued Friday, the two health departments said: “The Boone County Health Department has been working with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Belvidere Assembly Plant in the ongoing tracking of COVID-19 positive cases among their employees.They have shared their multi-layered program of safety measures with our department and we have discussed Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC guidance practices with them. FCA employs approximately 3,800 people, who live in multiple counties and states. Each local health department initiates contact tracing on positive individuals living within their borders to help mitigate community spread.”

FCA continues to make the health and safety of its employees a top priority, according to a statement issued by company spokeswoman Jodi Tinson.

“Since restarting our operations, we have had no spread of the virus at our Belvidere plant,” the statement said, adding that the company’s safety measures include on-site temperature checks, a daily health questionnaire, mandatory use of masks and safety glasses, social distancing, and continual cleaning and disinfecting.

“Where we have had an employee test positive, all of these measures have been in full use. We have also been aggressive in following recommended guidelines for contact tracing to prevent the spread and transmission of the virus.”

People who routinely travel across state lines for work or pleasure in COVID-19 hotspots such as Wisconsin need to take preventive measures to protect themselves and their communities, Winnebago County public health administrator Sandra Martell said.

“That includes things like masking and social distancing,” Martell said. “It also includes when you go to those destinations: How do you travel? Do you drive yourself in your own vehicle? Do you take public transportation? So, really trying to limit the numbers and contacts and exposures because people do travel for work.”

On Friday, the seven-day rolling rate of positive tests for COVID-19 in Winnebago County was 3.8%. The number of new COVID-19 cases was 23, raising the total number of cases since the pandemic began in March to 3,744. Since then, 96% of those who tested positive have been reported as recovered.

Boone County reported 12 new COVID-19 cases Friday, boosting its total to 770 confirmed cases since the outbreak began. The county’s seven-day rolling positivity rate stands at 5.5%.

Rock County, Wisconsin’s positivity rate was 5.4% as of Friday according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Walworth County, which includes Lake Geneva, reported a positivity rate of 7.2% as of Friday.

“Some of the largest outbreaks that we’ve seen in areas our country have been those congregate-type resort settings where people come together; they are not masked,” Martell said.“They’re enjoying themselves, but they’re not taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves and it contributes to the spread and the transmission of the disease.”

Mayor Ted Rehl of South Beloit, where three Wisconsin residents work in City Hall, acknowledged the porous nature of the Illinois-Wisconsin border, but noted that businesses in his community depend on workers from across the state line.

Rehl added that he dines frequently at restaurants in South Beloit and Beloit and that all “are doing the right thing” to protect their employees and customers.

On Friday, the Illinois Department of Public Health and Governor JB Pritzker announced new emergency rules designed to educate, warn and fine, if necessary, businesses that do not enforce COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Pritzker said the state will work with businesses, including restaurants, who have been lax on making customers wear masks.

Martell characterizes the ongoing pandemic as a marathon with multiple sprints in between.

“I understand that people are weary of all the things they need to do to stay safe,” Martell said.“Not only is it physically challenging at times but I think it’s emotionally challenging for our community to do this. Everyone’s tired.

“But, I also say our next hill that we’re going to climb in this pandemic is getting our children back into some in-person education.”

Ken DeCoster: kdecoster@rrstar.com; @DeCosterKen

Above is from:  https://www.rrstar.com/news/20200808/covid-19-cases-investigated-at-belvidere-assembly-plant