Employee with Smithfield Foods still fighting coronavirus after outbreak at facility

WRAL has talked to several employees — all who feel left in the dark. State and local health officials have only confirmed that there is an outbreak at the facility. That’s defined as two or more cases. Employees say the number of infections is much higher.

Workers there say there is no social distancing.

“I don’t think they should be that close," said the worker, who did not wish to be identified. "You are not going to keep everyone apart.”

“It ain’t easy," the worker said. "It’s rough. It’s no fun. This is no fun.”

The person said they have dealt with for a week the persistent coughing and shortness of breath.

“I was about to pass out," the employee said. "I couldn’t even stand up long enough to cook. I couldn’t stand up long enough to take a shower.”

Employees said there are at least 12 others off the job due to COVID-19 and fear dozens more are unknowingly infected.

“A lot of them are scared. A lot of them are scared to take it to their family," the worker said. “Smithfield really doesn’t tell them anything.”

Smithfield Foods said in a statement, "There are, however, inescapable realities about our industry. Meat processing facilities, which are characterized by labor intensive assembly line style production, are not designed for social distancing”

Smithfield Foods calls its communications with employees “robust and plentiful.” To prevent the spread of the virus, employees now have face masks and face shields along with sanitizing stations.