STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After confirming four positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) among workers at the Bloomfield-based Amazon Fulfillment Center, the company admitted in an email Wednesday night that there are even more confirmed cases at JFK8, the Advance has learned.

“We wanted to let you know JFK8 has additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. As the region is seeing an increase in confirmed cases, we are doing our best to ensure you are informed about the status of confirmed cases at JFK8 and all the steps we are taking to ensure your health and safety,” said the e-mail sent to workers that was obtained by the Advance/SILive.com.

The company couldn’t release the exact number of new confirmed cases at the facility, which has 5,000 workers. Amazon is Staten Island’s largest employer.

The email also noted that workers will “not be penalized for any absences.”

“And, if you feel sick, please STAY home. We also continue to follow the guidance of the CDC, WHO, local health authorities, and private medical experts on other recommended precautions,” the email stated.

Amazon has not said it would close the facility for deep cleaning.

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When asked about the new cases, Amazon issued the following statement: “Given the ever-changing nature surrounding COVID-19, we are committed to continue making adjustments to our business as we learn more. We are committed to protecting our employees through our preventative health measures, enhanced cleaning and sanitation, social distancing enforcement, and broad suite of new benefits, including extended paid leave options for full-time employees, additional $2 per hour, double time for overtime, and paid time off (PTO) benefits for regular part-time and seasonal employees.”

3 CASES CONFIRMED ON TUESDAY

Amazon sent correspondence to all of its workers at the Bloomfield-based fulfillment center Tuesday night stating there are three more confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) at JFK8.

Last week, the facility announced there was one confirmed case. However, sources told the Advance last week there were multiple cases of the virus at the facility.

RECENT PROTEST

The e-mails come on the heels of a protest on Monday at JFK8. About 50 people protested what they deem “unsafe” working conditions amid the coronavirus outbreak. Amazon previously said only 15 of the 50 protesters are workers at the facility.

The rally’s organizer, Chris Smalls, an employee at the facility, said he was fired Monday evening after the walkout.

"I am outraged and disappointed, but I’m not shocked. As usual, Amazon would rather sweep a problem under the rug than act to keep workers and working communities safe. Today, I stood with my co-workers because conditions at JFK8 are legitimately dangerous for workers and the public. Amazon thinks this might shut me up, but I’m going to keep speaking up,” Smalls said.

However, Amazon said in a statement that Smalls was released from his duties because he violated social distancing guidelines.

“Mr. Smalls received multiple warnings for violating social distancing guidelines and putting the safety of others at risk. He was also found to have had close contact with a diagnosed associate with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and was asked to remain home with pay for 14-days, which is a measure we’re taking at sites around the world. Despite that instruction to stay home with pay, he came onsite on March 30, further putting the teams at risk. This is unacceptable and we have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues.," said Amazon in a statement.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has ordered the city’s Commission on Human Rights to investigate Amazon’s firing of Smalls.

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