BISMARCK, N.D. – A second employee at North Dakota’s largest manufacturer, Doosan Bobcat in Gwinner, self-reported a presumptive positive case of COVID-19 Sunday. Will Wilkinson, President of the United Steel Workers local wants the plant to be shut down for an investigation. He represents nearly 1400 workers at the plant.
This past Friday, a worker self-reported the first presumptive case of the virus. It’s not clear if that worker’s test has been found positive. Following that report, shifts were canceled for 24 hours beginning Friday afternoon while the area that employee worked was cleaned. Bobcat resumed operations Saturday night. That person had only limited contact with others at the plant.
According to the company, the second employee worked in the south building last week, prior to sanitized cleaning was conducted Friday night. Doosan says it has been contacting employees who may have had contact with the employee. The company said its priority is the health and safety of its employees.
Wilkinson, said in a message to employees that the person with the second presumptive case worked most of last week and he said the company needs to locate and prevent any further spread among other employees.
Wilkinson said he was “praying” the company listens. He also said it appears the two workers with symptoms caught the illness outside of work.
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