Prestage completes COVID-19 testing, less than 10 new cases

On Monday, April 20^th, the Wright County Public Health (WCPH) with the assistance of Iowa Specialty Hospital Clarion and Belmond Campus started testing the remaining employees at the Prestage Foods of Iowa (Prestage) processing plant in Wright County, Iowa.  The results below include the initial 62 employees that were commuting from Black Hawk County that were tested on April 17^th and 18^th with the remaining tests drawn over a three day period and completed on Wednesday, April 22.  The final test results from the state hygienic lab breaks down as follows;

867 Total Tested

842 Total Negative

  25 Total Positive

Prestage is located in Wright County but is a regional employer. The breakdown of the positives by county for test given between April 17^th to the 22nd are as follows;

1  Wright County

3  Hamilton County

1  Webster County

2  Humboldt County

18 Black Hawk County

“This had the potential to be so much more of a negative effect to our region, if not for the proactiveness of Prestage.  Their willingness to come forward with a concern that a small group of employees were commuting from Blackhawk County shows the character of this family owned company. The teamwork started with the swift response of Governor Reynolds on our request for the COVID-19 tests, the professionalism of our Public Health Department and Iowa Specialty Hospitals experienced and capable staff working together is such a valuable asset to our county” said Karl Helgevold, Wright County Board of Supervisors.

“This situation was not the result of an outbreak, but surveillance of potential COVID-19 activities in our area.  I am still very pleased that this is still not an outbreak.  We need to keep in mind that all of the individuals tested were asymptomatic (none showed any signs).  It is imperative to keep up good practices of social distancing, hand washing, wearing face coverings and follow IDPH guidelines” said Sandy McGrath Wright County Epidemiologist.

Respectively Submitted,

Karl Helgevold, Wright County Board of Supervisors

515-851-1344 / khelgevold@co.wright.ia.us

Public Information Officer (PIO)