Cudahy Health Department and State Partners Investigate Cases of COVID-19 Linked to Local Meat Packing Plant

Cudahy Health Office Katie Lepak announced today the health department is working with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is investigating cases of COVID-19 linked to Smithfield Foods.

The Wisconsin National Guard assisted the Cudahy Health Department in providing COVID-19 testing for employees at Smithfield Foods. A total of 503 people were tested over a five day period (4/24 -4/28).

“This is an on-going investigation and the exact number of people who have tested positive for COVID•19 is not yet known. Confirmed cases are reported to the health department in the community where they live. Local health departments are following up with employees and their contacts to stop the spread of the illness in the community,” Lepak said.

It can take up to 14 days to develop symptoms after exposure to COVID-19. Symptoms include:

• Cough
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Loss of smell
• Fatigue
• Loss of taste

Not everyone with COVID-19 has all of these symptoms. For many, symptoms are mild, with no fever. It is important to know that you can still spread (transmit) the virus to others even if you have mild or no symptoms. People with these symptoms should call their healthcare provider and get tested.

People should take steps to avoid contracting COVID-19 by maintaining social distancing, limiting travel to only trips to grocery stares or to pick up medications, frequent and thorough handwashing, and covering coughs and sneezes.

To date, the city of Cudahy has had 33 positive cases of COVID-19.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.