(Fremont, NE – May 12, 2020) – Lincoln Premium Poultry provided an update today to the community on recent cases at their facility. Since reporting to the public one week ago, Lincoln Premium Poultry reported an additional 12 cases of COVID-19 over the past week, which brings the company total to 40 cases. As of today the company has also registered 72 negative cases among employees.
“We will continue to do everything we can to protect our team members.” said Kolterman, “We believe the efforts we have undertaken within our facility has helped us keep the numbers manageable, but we also recognize that much of this is out of our control. Regardless, we will keep doing our very best to maintain a safe working environment.”
Lincoln Premium Poultry has provided the opportunity for individuals over 65 to self-isolate at home, with pay. Individuals who test positive as well as individuals with known direct contact with a person who has tested positive are also self-isolating at home with pay. “We are excited to share that 11 team members have recovered and have returned to work.” said Kolterman.
Lincoln Premium Poultry has implemented additional protection measures recommended by UNMC, including additional screening, strict mandatory use of masks, and additional deep cleaning. The company had previously limited visitors to the facility, stopped food service and installed dividers on tables, provided further space between workers, implemented nightly intense cleaning interventions, is taking the temperature of all entering their facilities and had provided masks to their workforce. They have also provided a $2/hour increase to all hourly workers, which began in March, and are regularly providing chicken for their team members. This virus is not foodborne and cannot be transmitted through food or potable water.
“We continue to push for testing for any of our team members who show symptoms or who have been directly exposed,” said Kolterman, “We appreciate the willingness of Three Rivers Health Department to advocate for additional testing in our area.”
Kolterman praised the LPP team, “We recognize that this is a difficult time for anyone who is an essential worker and we will keep supporting our team members. They continue to amaze us with their perseverance and have worked hard to produce product on our original ramp-up schedule.”
Lincoln Premium Poultry was founded in 2016 in Fremont, Nebraska and began operations on September 9, 2019.
