GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — As the Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) investigates a cluster of COVID-19 cases at the Tyson Foods Plant in Goodlettsville, it is estimated that there have been nearly 90 cases of the coronavirus there.
This comes as Tyson plant workers in Goodlettsville and Shelbyville say they don't feel their employer has done enough to protect them during the pandemic.
MPHD officials say they estimate approximately 60 cases at the plant among employees who live in Davidson County. In addition to those cases, they estimate about another 30 among employees who live in other counties.
MPHD is conducting contact tracing for confirmed Davidson County resident cases. Plant employees who are residents of other counties will be monitored by the local health departments of those counties.
Epidemiologists with MPHD are working directly with Tyson officials on the steps being taken to mitigate the threat of the disease at the plant.
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COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
