Several Scranton Manufacturing employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

Scranton Manufacturing/New Way Director of Human Resources Luke Gray tells Raccoon Valley Radio six employees in the Scranton facility and one in the Carroll facility have tested positive for the virus. He says about 30 employees have been tested and waiting for results or are scheduled to be tested, which includes the employees who have been identified through contacting tracing of the positive individuals. Gray notes as of Friday, there have been about ten negative results. He adds, the majority of the positive cases were traced back to two facilities in Webster and Calhoun counties. 

Gray says the protocol for the company is when an employee tests positive or if an employee is being tested for the virus, they are to self-isolate until they are cleared to come back to work, while following the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. He states that Scranton Manufacturing has been taking safety measures against the virus, including increasing sanitation practices, educating employees, producing and providing access to face coverings and hand sanitizer, and allowing for leaves of absences upon request for higher risk individuals or family members, among others. 

Gray says they are working closely with Greene County Public Health on this situation. He says this proactive approach began when there was less than one-percent of the employees that tested positive, whereas an organization is not required to report or partner with public health unless ten-percent of the workforce tests positive. Gray adds, the safety and health of employees is Scranton Manufacturing’s top priority.