Foster Farms has disclosed the results of COVID testing in two turkey processing facilities in Stanislaus County and two broiler plants in Fresno County. The company has conducted 6,314 tests for COVID-19 (presumably PCR assays) among 3,405 employees with most tested twice over a seven-day interval.
Among the turkey processing plants the prevalence rate was one percent of 2,134 assays. Following the Memorial Day weekend, a surge in COVID-19 cases occurred involving 75 employees of whom 43 have returned to work.
During the first ten days in September, Foster Farms conducted 4,180 tests among workers in the broiler plants yielding a prevalence rate of less than one percent. The situation in Stanislaus County turkey plants was similar with surges recorded following Memorial Day and July 4th. The broiler facilities reported 158 COVID-19 cases with 75 workers returning to work, although two fatalities occurred in the workforce.
Foster Farms conducted the most comprehensive testing program of any agricultural enterprise in California. The company followed CDC guidance and implemented preventive measures in mid-March.