De QUEEN, Ark. - An employee at Pilgrim's Pride in De Queen has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a letter sent to employees on Monday.
"We received confirmation that one team member has tested positive for COVID-19 after exhibiting flu-like symptoms," according to the letter addressed to Pilgrim team members.
Pilgrim's Pride is a poultry processing plant with several locations including De Queen.
Pilgrim's Pride received a letter from the Arkansas Department of Health notifying them of the employee testing positive.
The diagnosed individual is in isolation and has not been at work in five days, according to the letter.
According to the letter, Pilgrim's has taken immediate action to ensure the health and well-being of employees.
Employees in direct contact with the diagnosed person have been notified and self-quarantined for 14 days though none have shown any symptoms, according to the letter.
The facility will remain open and staff will continue with enhanced sanitation efforts, according to the letter.
"We are communicating and consulting with the U.S, Center for Disease Control, the Arkansas Department of Health and the U.S, Department OF Agriculture and adhering to their protocols and expert advice," the letter said.