Coronavirus Disease among Workers in Food Processing, Food Manufacturing, and Agriculture Workplaces

Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Jan;27(1):243-249. doi: 10.3201/eid2701.203821. Epub 2020 Oct 19.

Abstract

We describe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among US food manufacturing and agriculture workers and provide updated information on meat and poultry processing workers. Among 742 food and agriculture workplaces in 30 states, 8,978 workers had confirmed COVID-19; 55 workers died. Racial and ethnic minority workers could be disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; occupational health; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; worker safety; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Agriculture*
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / transmission*
  • Female
  • Food Industry*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult