On December 4th Foster Farms announced a suspension of operations at the Cherry Street Fresno Plant. After decontamination over the weekend the plant resumed production on Monday December 7th. During late November, extending into the first days of December, 193 out of a complement of a 1,400 workforce tested positive for COVID-19. All employees were asymptomatic. Those testing positive were advised to isolate while receiving medical benefits and wages.
Ira Brill, spokesperson for Foster Farms, stated that the Cherry Street workforce will be tested twice weekly after resumption of operations. The company has operated in close collaboration with the Fresno Department of Public Health.
According to Foster Farms the prevalence of COVID-19 at the Fresno facility remained under one percent through the end of October, but increased in early November as the incidence rate increased in Fresno County.