LM Wind Power has shut a manufacturing facility in the US state of North Dakota after employees at the site tested positive for COVID-19.
Governor Doug Burgum said over the weekend that there have been 110 confirmed cases of workers or close contacts connected to the Grand Forks blade plant since testing started Thursday. One person has been hospitalised.
State health officer Mylynn Tufte issued a quarantine order on Saturday directing employees to quarantine for 14 days. Some 900 people are employed at the facility.
“Quarantine is necessary and the least restrictive alternative to protect and preserve public health,” Tufte said.
A state rapid response team, a collaboration between health officials and the National Guard, has carried out over 400 tests. Additional testing is to take place this week.
LM Wind-owner GE said it has temporarily closed the facility for at least two weeks “to conduct an extensive disinfection process while also continuing to pay employees as usual during this period”.
“We are working in close partnership with the mayor’s office, North Dakota State Department of Public Health and city and state public agencies and greatly appreciate their support. We will continue to support our employees and monitor their condition as we determine when and how we can re-start the plant safely,” added a spokesman.
The LM Wind Power plant is considered a critical manufacturing business by the US Department of Homeland Security and is not subject to any of the business closures ordered by the governor during the COVID-19 emergency, Burgum added.