COVID Notice: Instances affecting Muncie, Pershing and COL
COVID updates, events and changes are moving at 1000 mph. However, consistent with our commitment to transparency and open communication, we wanted to update you on our latest instances of COVID activity from the Muncie, Pershing and our Columbus MDC facilities. Earlier this week, we were made aware of three instances of employees testing positive for COVID—19. Although we are unable to share complete details related to the situation due to HIPAA and privacy regulations, we can share these details and facts with you.
Employee #1 is a Columbus, Ohio MDC employee and that will impact that location specifically. There are three employees in that facility. Two employees started showing symptoms around November 10, 2020. A member of the impacted employee’s household tested positive prior to our employee. With one employee positive and one employee showing symptoms and the third employee quarantined, we suspended operation at the facility until further notice. Consistent with our standard protocol, the facility was cleaned and sanitized upon dispatch, and we have no concern with material or shipments coming from this location. The remaining employees were advised to contact their physician and advised to get tested. We are in touch with all employees on a daily basis.
Employee #2 is a Customer Service employee. In this department, we have one employee testing positive. The employee started showing symptoms around November 10, 2020, and has not returned to the office. In addition, we have two employees that are experiencing COVID related symptoms, and those began on or around Friday, November 13, but are unrelated to this incident. One includes a member of the household that tested positive, and the other employee was in direct contact with a group of people that were not wearing masks and it was revealed that one member of that group had a family member that tested positive. Our employee was required to be among that group, but was wearing a mask and immediately removed himself from that group environment after observing a lack of COVID concern. We sent the Customer Service Department and the two employees in the Product Application Department home to work remotely on Friday, November 13, 2020, until further notice. The employees on that floor and any employees that would have contact with that employee were immediately informed, interviewed about levels of exposure and contact with the impacted employees, and strongly encouraged to contact their physician if feeling any symptoms and to get tested. Consistent with our COVID protocol, that work area was cleaned and sanitized upon dispatch. All employees in that Department were advised to consult their physician and get tested.
Employee #3 is a Pershing employee. That employee had a medical procedure on Monday, November 9, 2020 which required the administration of a COVID-19 test. That test was negative. However, that employee believes he started experiencing COVID related symptoms early last week. He was last in the building on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. All employees in that facility, weather they had direct or indirect exposure, were contacted, updated, and have been informed to take the necessary precautions as a result, including consultation with their physician and testing. One additional employee was quarantined due to being a relative and in close proximity with the employee in the Customer Service Department that tested positive.
All employees testing positive will remain away from the facility until they receive a negative test and are released by their physician to safely return to work. We are in touch with all impacted employees on a regular, if not daily basis.
We will continue to keep you updated on our progress and next steps.
In the meantime, please continue to follow protocol with respect to hand washing, physical distancing, wearing face masks, and other safety measures. Feel free to contact me or any member of management with questions or concerns.
