BLUE BELL CONFIRMS COVID-19 CASE IN BRENHAM FACILITY; PRODUCTION WILL CONTINUE
Officials at Blue Bell Creameries have confirmed a positive case of COVID-19 in an employee at the company’s Brenham facility.
Blue Bell told KWHI in a statement that, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health authorities, the employee has been quarantined, is not working, and is under medical supervision.
Blue Bell said it has taken all necessary steps to identify and notify employees who worked closely with the affected employee. Those workers have been asked to self-quarantine and monitor for any symptoms for 14 days.
The company said, in addition to its current cleaning and sanitation procedures, it has deep-cleaned and disinfected the area where the employee worked. It said the steps it has taken will allow it to continue to operate.
Blue Bell was unable to disclose any additional details about the employee for privacy reasons.
The company said in a previous statement it has implemented safety measures specifically to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those include requiring temperature checks for every employee before entering its facilities, providing protective gear like masks and gloves to employees, installing plastic dividers for extra protection for employees working in close proximity of each other, increased cleaning of common areas and high-touch surfaces, staggered starts by production areas, and separate break rooms and bathrooms to reduce co-mingling.
It is too bad that Blue Bell didn’t give notice of the Covid infected person by way of phone calls, text or emails. The employees had a right to know in advance before coming to work. I do applaud Blue Bell for its cleaning regiment but do hope health inspections will increase in the production area. If the Covid infected person worked in production, one would hope that there would be a recall of ice cream for a certain length of time. To bad, so sad and too late.
Blue Bell is one of the biggest employers in Brenham. I find it funny that some people would love for Blue Bell to go under. Bet you are sitting at home with Blue Bell in your freezers or better yet eating a bowl while bashing them. I for one give Blue Bell a big thank you for continuing to run and pay there employees. God knows yall aren’t going to step up and help any of them! The virus is what it is and it will take a long time to go away if it even does. So stop it with wanting to shut down business trying to make it and do your part to support them and do your part wearing mask when you go out and wash your hands. How many places where you buy your groceries and take home to eat and feed your family has had employees or family member with covid19 and you don’t know it? Think about that! Thank you Blue Bell for all you do to help keep your employees employed and for your yummy ice cream! God Bless everyone!
How can we thank a company for staying open when a deadly virus has been detected in one of their workers? It is dangerous to put profits ahead of people. We need to ask the county health authority to look into this so it doesn’t become another nursing home hotspot. Those who want to reopen stores, play sports and hold mass gatherings like church or little league are playing with fire, this virus is still in Washington County looking for its next victims. Stay home people, and if you must leave your home please wear a mask, gloves and hair net. Thank God that Washington County Little League decided to follow Dr. Loesch advice and cancel the season. That is a good example for companies like Blue Bell to follow too as we seek to heal this area of the virus. The people of Washington County are going to have to draw a line in the sand and demand more protective measures and behavioral controls.
Miss Jackson: this virus is here to stay.
BB is under some extra strict guidelines due to the listeria outbreak.
CDC requires a massive cleaning process when a case is detected. They lost at least a day of production doing it.
Truthfully, the longer we stay quarantined the WORSE the cases become.
We’re in my opinion overdue to reopen by 3 weeks minimum.
I am guessing you weren’t in brenham when BB was furloughed due to listeria.
Let’s just say they were lucky to get back as fast as they did.
This hysteria you and others are showing does NOT give a good impression of the county to tourists. Just food for thought.
The planet has a new case………….shut down the earth . Sheep mentality
So an employee contracts Covid from who knows where, and there are those that want to shut down the plant. If you work there and are uncomfortable with the conditions quit. If you don’t want to buy the products don’t. We must let society and business move forward. It is a safe bet that Blue Bell is in full compliance with all CDC and FCD requirements.
I think that place needs to be shut down right now at least till you all do some cleaning , dont let it be about money its not your company BLUE BELL HAVE TO PAY FOR YOU ALL BEING OFF TAKE IN CONSIDERATION THAT YOUR FAMILY IS IN DANGER GO HOME. FOR A WHILE
You obviously did not read the article to have made such a ridiculous comment. It was stated above,
“The company said, in addition to its current cleaning and sanitation procedures, it has deep-cleaned and disinfected the area where the employee worked. It said the steps it has taken will allow it to continue to operate.” AND,
“ The company said in a previous statement it has implemented safety measures specifically to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those include requiring temperature checks for every employee before entering its facilities, providing protective gear like masks and gloves to employees, installing plastic dividers for extra protection for employees working in close proximity of each other, increased cleaning of common areas and high-touch surfaces, staggered starts by production areas, and separate break rooms and bathrooms to reduce co-mingling.”
I’m sure they know exactly what Blue Bell and it’s employees are getting themselves into.
Can the local public health departments or news reporters explain this situation? How is it that a local BBQ restaurant had to close for days because an employee tested positive for COVID but an ice cream company doesn’t?
No one forced the BBQ place to close…they chose to do that.
You do not have all of the information. We do not know what area of the plant the positive case was in, was it in production, accounting, the truck repair shop, the yard people, who knows. Blue Bell like many industrial facilities is large and departments are divided. The CDC guidelines for this circumstance are very straight forward and it sounds like Blue Bell followed them perfectly. I am very shocked that employees would hide behind a keyboard and bash their employer. I am forced they must not value their place of employment. Maybe they should go work somewhere else. I for one am counting my blessing that I can continue to work everyday and that area employers like Blue Bell are taking these cases seriously and handling them correct.
I have to say, I am so thankful to be getting a paycheck. I feel safer at work than I do going to a grocery store or public place. Most businesses have gone above and beyond to protect their employees. These companies are trying to stay a float and work with the ever changing CDC guidelines. I don’t understand why there has to be all the negativity. If the company does not make any money, it will not succeed and you will not have a job to complain about. If you are so unhappy and feel you are not safe – find another job or stay home. It’s hard to feed your family or pay your bills with no income. There are so many people that have not had any income during this time and families are suffering. So many have lost their loved ones to the horrible virus. Please spend your time praying we get through this and find a cure or vaccine not bashing the companies that are essential to our livelihoods.
Still business as usual nothing has change
Wish we could encourage not only the employee to quarantine but family members as well. Going out in public after direct exposure is what will continue to tear down our community.
so stay at home ….this means no groceries , no fast food no traveling , nothing ……….be afraid and not a hypocrite . No one knows where you been . So dont enforce your rule on others .Cower alone in some dark out of the way place. Wash your hands and cover your face.
I work there and only found out when I got to work Monday morning and saw there was a notice posted by the time clock. What a way to “notify” your employees. And to continue production with all the people that work there and are moved around from area to area as needed. No consideration for their employees at all.
Why management didn’t call a Meeting, notify by Text, email, phone vs.posting a memo? That’s not a way to look out for staff & others. I don’t know the operations there but I do agree this EE likely been with others & the place should be quarantined. This city has too many deaths & citizens not abiding by wearing mask etc. One cannot walk into a supermarket or store anywhere in Austin, Houston w/o a mask or face protection. People there abiding because they follow the rules or u don’t go into the Store. Plain & Simple!! We have a population that doesn’t follow rules & I’m tired of seeing this behavior. Enough has not been emphasized by the County Judge & Mayor & they should do repeat announcing EVERY DAY….whether it’s KWHI , newspaper , overhead announcements, etc.Thats the only way it will sink in to these non abiding people. It’s evident these same people do not READ the news because their noses are buried in their FB, social media ACCTS.. looking for self gratification, pity & whatever reason people Post what they do. This tells me we have a weak population. God help them …..theres a old saying ” You must help yourself before you ask God to help you.” True words & should be in everyone’s daily vocabulary. Hope this Corona will teach them you need to be a thinker & build some strength cause if you expect the World to carry you thru Life you are in for a wake- up & it will be too late.
.County Medical director Dr.Loesch over & over REPEATS….. WEAR A MASK. Get with the mask /face cover folks….you, your children everyone.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news here. But the employees of all these supermarkets you speak of in Houston. You are correct, they do wear masks in the “front of the stores”…but not in the back. Guess what else is in the back? Merchandise that they touch and move to the front. And they do not require you to wear them to enter, only strongly suggest. They may say they do, but in practice they don’t. I know this because I am in these places DAILY. And yes, I wear a mask that my beautiful wife had made for me. Not because these big city supermarkets say I have to, but because I’m respectful to those who are scared.
Sorry, but I can respectfully say this small community is actually doing waaaaaaay more than these big cities are. Your Brenham supermarkets are doing a fantastic job. Again, I’m in them all (big and small).
Reply to the above I did say ONE meaning customers cannot enter . I did not mention anything about employees & I have no idea what goes on esp.in back stockrooms etc. Just wanted to clarify what I said. But yes Austin & Houston supermarkets are vigilant about CUSTOMERS must wear mask or no entry.
Rules are different from recommendations and recommendations are what the CDC puts out. People don’t want others or the government infringing on our constitutional rights or liberties because a deep fear is instilled in folks.
As for the death toll, it is very unfortunate, but death is inevitable and it’s up to you how you spend your days here on God’s gift of Earth. Of the 25 deaths, 5 were ages 70-79, 8 were ages 80-89, and 12 were ages 90-99. Again unfortunate, but the life expectancy in 2019 for the U.S. is 78.87 years.
Just wear your MASK and stay home if you don’t like going to the store because others aren’t following a recommendation by the government that isn’t mandatory!
Get over it and move to Houston or Austin if it makes you feel better because it’s not gonna change in BRENHAM!
We have choices in life so when you choose to wear your Mask I thank you for not spreading your germs my way!
I just wanted to inform you that production did run Saturday and most employees that went to work were notified about this at the time clock. Just thought i would inform you on that.
It needs to be shut down you don’t know where that employee went to what areas
Get real! You are more likely to get it from socializing in groups outside of work or touching hard surfaces like a gas pump, ATM machine, door handle, key pads, etc., than at work where they are constantly sanitizing and making extra efforts to keep you safe. You have no idea who washes their hands and follows the guidelines. More than likely, the person that tested positive did not get it from work — especially if they have been out in the community. Our heroes right now are the health care workers having to be on the front line testing and treating patients. People, wear your mask, wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. Everyone has to do their part. It is so easy to push the blame around. You have to take this seriously and protect your family, yourself and those around you.
Some of y’all have lost your mind to fear!!
You still don’t know the difference between fear and respect.
You fear COVID-1984 and you stay inside!! I respect it and wash my hands like I’ve been fought my WHOLE life!! I’m gonna live while you cower in fear. Stay home, but don’t dare tell others to.
Isn’t it wonderful to find out via the news rather than from your employer…smh
The county judge needs to order the county health officials to investigate this Covid case at Blue Bell. The workers at this facility are just as important as the nursing homes. The county needs to ask Dr Loesch to look into this.
They have been taking the employees temperatures at the beginning of their shift for over a month now. They are gone and following the instructions given to them. Do you think any other large company would do anything different by putting the notice up at the time clock? That’s the ONE place everyone is guaranteed to see it. It’s not like there’s only 50 employees to where something could have been different. We all are living this. It’s new to everyone.