A meat-processing plant in Warren County will resume operations after halting operations because of employees testing positive for COVID-19. On April 24th, Smithfield Foods in Monmouth, Illinois announced the plant’s closure after confirming three COVID-19 positive cases. Smithfield Foods’ Monmouth plant currently employs 1,700 and supports 3% of the fresh pork market in the United States. Last week, employees were told the closure would last for at least two weeks. However, in a statement posted today Smithfield Foods stated departments: Kill, Shipping, Plant Service, Maintenance, and Animal Foods will resume Saturday May 2nd, 2020. The plant will resume full operations Monday May 4th, 2020. Around 20 meat-processing plants have stopped operations due to COVID-19 in the United States. Smithfield Foods brands include Smithfield, Eckrich, Farmland, Armour, John Morell, Curly’s, Healthy Ones, and more.
