Outbreak Of COVID-19 Cases At Rantoul Meat Processing Plant
Reginald Hardwick/Illinois Public Media
Despite the thousands of COVID-19 cases tied to meat processing plants nationally, President Trump has ordered them to remain open. Today, one of the largest meat processing plants in central Illinois is reporting more than 45 confirmed cases of the disease.
More than 160 meat packing plants nationwide have had coronavirus outbreaks, sickening at least 9,400 people, primarily workers.
Plants here in Illinois have not been spared. As of yesterday, the Rantoul Foods had 47 confirmed cases of COVID-19 — after the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting found the plant came under scrutiny from health officials back in March. Then, last week, the plant was cited for being more than 90% out of compliance with infection control practices.
Guest: Pam Dempsey, executive director at the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting