FILE – In this April 9, 2020 file photo employees and family members protest outside a Smithfield Foods processing plant in Sioux Falls, S.D. The plant has had an outbreak of coronavirus cases according to Gov. Kristi Noem. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves File)

MONMOUTH, Ill. (WTVO) — Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, announced it would be temporarily closing its Monmouth, Illinois plant Friday after a portion of its workforce was diagnosed with COVID-19.

The company had already closed its South Dakota processing plant indefinitely after 700 workers tested positive for the disease.

The Monmouth plant represents approximately three percent of U.S. fresh pork supplies and also produces bacon, according to the company.

Employees will be paid during the closure, the company said.

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