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BEING ABSENT FOR HEALTH REASONS. >> 25 PEOPLE WHO WORK AT THE PRESTAGE FOOD PROCESSES PLANT HAVE NOW TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE COMPANY SAYS 867 MCILROYIES WERE TESTED BETWEEN APRIL 17 AND 23. EVEN THOUGH PRESTAGE IS IN WRIGHT COUNTY, PEOPLE COMMUTE TO THE PLANT FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA. ONLY ONE PERSON WHO WORKS AT THE PLANT AND LIVES IN WRIGHT COUNTY TESTED POSITIVE.

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Wright County Public Health officials on Thursday released the results of COVID-19 testing that took place at Prestage Foods of Iowa.County officials said 25 employees at the meat processing facility tested positive for the virus, out of 867 tests administered with the assistance of Iowa Specialty Hospital Clarion and Belmond Campus.WCPH said the results include 62 employees that were communing from Black Hawk County that were tested on April 17th and 18th, with the remaining tests drawn over a three-day period and completed Wednesday.Prestage is located in Wright County but is a regional employer. The breakdown of the positives by county for test given between April 17th to the 23rd are as follows;1 Wright County3 Hamilton County1 Webster County2 Humboldt County 18 Black Hawk County“This had the potential to be so much more of a negative effect to our region, if not for the proactiveness of Prestage. Their willingness to come forward with a concern that a small group of employees were commuting from Blackhawk County shows the character of this family owned company. The teamwork started with the swift response of Governor Reynolds on our request for the COVID-19 tests, the professionalism of our Public Health Department and Iowa Specialty Hospitals experienced and capable staff working together is such a valuable asset to our county” said Karl Helgevold, Wright County Board of Supervisors.“This situation was not the result of an outbreak, but surveillance of potential COVID-19 activities in our area. I am still very pleased that this is still not an outbreak. We need to keep in mind that all of the individuals tested were asymptomatic (none showed any signs). It is imperative to keep up good practices of social distancing, hand washing, wearing face coverings and follow IDPH guidelines” said Sandy McGrath Wright County Epidemiologist.Prestage officials said Monday that infected workers are not on the job and will be paid while they're quarantined.