Sixty-seven (67) percent of the new cases of Covid-19 are connected to the meatpacking industry. An Iowa Department of Public Health news release indicated 177 of the new cases are employees at the beef plant in Tama and 84 work for Tyson Foods. State officials aren’t indicating WHICH Tyson plant, however. Tyson announced Sunday it will close its Perry plant today for deep cleaning after employees there tested positive for COVID-19. The governor has confirmed an outbreak of the virus at Tyson’s plant in Columbus Junction.

Workers at JBS in Marshalltown, and in all JBS plants, will be receiving a raise and more protective equipment. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and JBS have announced all workers will receive a four dollar per hour increase. Workers will also have access to enhanced PPE equipment and plexiglass shields will be installed where social distancing is not possible. The Marshalltown JBS plant employs around 2,000 people.