PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in cooperation with Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken penned an open letter to Smithfield Foods to suspend operations for 14 days.
“We recommend that Smithfield operations suspend for a minimum of 14 days, in order to protect the employees, families, the Sioux Falls community and the people of South Dakota,” Noem said at a Saturday briefing.
The 14-day shutdown is consistent with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and The South Dakota Department of Healths (SDDH) reported incubation period of the virus. The letter attributes more than half of Minnehaha’s positive cases to the food plant. Stating that out of the counties 438 confirmed cases, 238 are connected to Smithfield.
The food processing plant was deemed a “hot spot” last week when state health officials said over 80 workers at the plant tested positive for COVID-19.
