Bolthouse Farms confirms 2 COVID-19 positive employees

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — An employee at Bolthouse Farms tested positive for the coronavirus, according to letter sent home employees from CEO Jeff Dunn.

According to the letter, an employee at the Bakersfield facility, as well as an employee at their facility in Hodgkins, Illinois, test positive Thursday.

The letter said that each member of the employee's associated workgroup, as well as anyone who had close contact with the employee, were immediately sent home. Those employees sent home are expected to self-isolate as well as get tested for COVID-19. They will not be allowed to return to work until cleared by a medical professional.

The letter went on to say that emergency sanitation protocols were put in place to disinfect the facility.

Bolthouse said the following measures have already been in place:Screening everyone who enters any of the sites for elevated fever and sending those with a fever of 100 degrees or higher home for self-quarantine and testing.Reduced workgroups to 20 or less.Increase the frequency and extent of disinfection/sanitation practices.Added supplemental COVID-19 sick policies.Initiated an essential pay supplemental bonus for essential production and agriculture employees.