FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Frank Singleton/Media Relations Direct: 678-316-4237 fes01@att.net Contact: Megan Ernst/Marketing Office: 678-450-3069/Cell: 770-510-8864 Megan.Ernst@waynefarms.com WAYNE FARMS ALBERTVILLE FACILITY REPORTS COVID-19 EMPLOYEE FATALITY Oakwood, GA. (April 20, 2020) – Wayne Farms Albertville has reported the death of one employee from COVID-19. The employee passed away at his residence Saturday, after selfreporting flu-like symptoms nearly two weeks ago. He last worked on April 9 and his COVID diagnosis was reported to company occupational health officials on April 17. The company continues to operate the facility under stringent prevention and sanitation protocols, and notified Albertville facility employees of his death today. Occupational health and operations officials were on hand to answer questions and allay employee concerns, and company representatives are working with family members to provide support and assistance as needed. Marketplace Chaplains have been made available for employees dealing with grief or stress related to COVID-19, and the company is working with union representatives to ensure employee concerns are being managed. Co-workers memorialized the deceased employee today during a moment of prayer and silence at the facility. “We’re saddened to learn of the loss of one of our team members from this virus,” said Kevin McDaniel, Wayne Farms Vice President and General Manager of Fresh Operations. “Our condolences and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.” Under the company’s COVID-19 Infection Control Response Protocol, employees testing positive and those who have had contact are not allowed to return to work until they are cleared by health officials in accordance with CDC guidelines. Wayne Farms has been operating under the Response Protocol since February 24, employing a range of CDC-recommended preventative practices and installing new technology and equipment designed to limit the spread of the virus. At the Albertville facility, these precautions include: • • • • Doubling-down on the sanitation program—beyond the regular sanitation process, every area of the plant is getting sanitized and fogged, including breakrooms, hallways and offices Installing infrared temperature sensors to screen all employees/visitors/suppliers before entry Staggering start and break times to help with distancing, and waiving minor tardiness to avoid crowding and close quarters Installing dividers in breakrooms and on the debone line and other areas to provide barriers between employees 4110 Continental Drive • Oakwood, GA 30566 • 1.800.392.0844 • www.waynefarms.com • • • • • Providing face coverings/masks free of charge for use throughout plant, in addition to required plastic smocks, hairnets, and gloves Following stringent positive COVID contact protocol—checking all contact points—both work and personal—of employees with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, from work association to rides or carpools and social contacts. Asking employees to respect and follow preventative guidance from the CDC—staying home and minimizing social contact, wearing face masks or covers in public, regular handwashing. Reporting any positive COVID-19 contacts outside of work-major or minor—rides, social contacts, house guests—any potential transmission point Reporting any flu-like symptoms to occupational health and constantly reminding employees to stay home if sick The company continues to operate on a limited production schedule, which will allow for additional distancing among employees throughout the facility. ### About Wayne Farms LLC Wayne Farms LLC is the seventh-largest vertically integrated poultry producer in the U.S. with annual sales exceeding $2 billion. A subsidiary of Continental Grain Company, Wayne Farms owns and operates 11 fresh and further-processed facilities throughout the Southeast, produces more than 2.6 billion pounds of poultry products each year, and employs more than 9,000 individuals. Producing products under the brand names of WAYNE FARMS® fresh and prepared chicken; PLATINUM HARVEST® premium fresh chicken; CHEF’S CRAFT® gourmet chicken; NAKED TRUTH® premium chicken; and LADYBIRD™ premium chicken, Wayne Farms has a well-known history of delivering exceptional poultry products to some of the largest industrial, institutional, and foodservice companies across America. 4110 Continental Drive • Oakwood, GA 30566 • 1.800.392.0844 • www.waynefarms.com