Tyson Fresh Meats closed its Wallula plant on Friday, April 24 to begin working with the Walla Walla Department of Community Health (DCH) to test all 1,400 employees for the COVID-19 virus. Over 110 workers have tested positive for the virus as of April 24. Nine employees who reside in Walla Walla County are among those who have tested positive.

The Walla Walla Department of Community Health (DCH) obtained test kits from the State of Washington Department of Health (DOH). It will take about three days for test results to come back. Results will be communicated to Tyson employees and will be reviewed by DCH staff, the local health officers of Walla Walla County and the Benton and Franklin Health District, and Tyson to determine a plan to resume production.

The Department of Community Health has been engaged with both local and corporate Tyson teams since April 6th when their Environmental Health Team met with Tyson to discuss their current cases and mitigation measures. Since then, the DCH has been in daily communication with Tyson to ensure the required mitigation measures are put in place.