Eight workers at Livingston nut plant test positive for coronavirus, Merced County reports

Eight employees at a Livingston almond processing plant have tested positive for coronavirus, the Merced County Department of Public Health reported Monday.

The county reported Hughson Nut Company, the operator of the plant, is working with the Department of Health to investigate the outbreak. The company has closed part of the plant, and that area is being disinfected, according to a county news release.

Employees who had close contact with the infected individuals have been ordered to quarantine at home.

Additionally, anyone experiencing symptoms — who visited the plant between May 18 and June 12 — should call their medical provider. Those symptoms can include shortness of breath, fever, and cough.

“We appreciate the cooperation of the Hughson Nut Company with the investigation of this outbreak. It’s important for all individuals to follow preventative safety practices to help minimize the spread of this virus in our community. We hope for a successful recovery for all those affected,” said Dr. Salvador Sandoval, Merced County public health officer, in the release.

The report of coronavirus at the nut plant comes two days after an employee at Dutch Bros. Coffee in Merced tested positive for coronavirus.

As of Friday (the last reporting date for county coronavirus data), a total of 409 people had tested positive for coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. That number included 116 active cases.

In total, 286 people have recovered from the virus, 45 people have been hospitalized and seven people have died in Merced County.

Around the Valley, Monday’s coronavirus updates included:

Stanislaus County: 1,242 positive cases, 35 deaths, 876 recoveries since the beginning of the pandemic.

Fresno County: 159 new cases, 2,706 to date; three more deaths, 55 to date; 1,865 active cases; 786 recovered.

Kings County: On Sunday, the county reported 46 new cases, 1,805 to date. Of those, 999 are associated with inmates or staff at state prisons in the county. The county a total of six deaths to date; 1,150 active cases; 649 recovered.

Madera County: 27 new cases since Friday afternoon, 226 to date; no new deaths, three to date; 78 active cases, 145 recovered.

Mariposa County: One new case, 17 to date; no new deaths, one to date. One active case, 15 recovered.

Tulare County: 82 new cases, 2,646 to date; no new deaths, 98 to date; 711 active cases, 1,837 recovered.

This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 6:23 PM.