Data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network (FERN) reported new COVID-19 infection rates among meat and poultry workers are 60 percent lower than the general U.S. population.
The nonprofit also said new infection rates are two-thirds lower than case rates in the sector in May 2020. FERN said the sector had an average of 32.64 new reported cases per 100,000 workers per day in January 2021—two-thirds lower than the average of 98.39 new reported cases per 100,000 workers per day in May 2020.
“Meat and poultry workers are substantially less likely to be infected with COVID-19 than the general population as a result of the comprehensive protections instituted since the spring of 2020, when the pandemic’s impact on our sector peaked,” said North American Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. Industry groups have urged government officials to prioritize meat and poultry workers for COVID-19 vaccinations.
