Amazon confirms 2 more cases of the novel coronavirus at facilities in Ohio

Advertisement
Amazon confirms 2 more cases of the novel coronavirus at facilities in Ohio
2020 04 03T183829Z_561974338_RC26XF9AKN6L_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH CORONAVIRUS AMAZON COM PRIME DAY.JPG
  • An employee told Business Insider there were two confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Amazon facilities outside Cleveland, Ohio.
  • In a statement on Monday, Amazon confirmed the information, saying the infected persons are in recovery.
  • Dozens of Amazon workers have caught COVID-19, but the company has declined to reveal how many of its locations have been affected.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Amazon has confirmed two more cases of COVID-19 at facilities in Ohio, following an employee tip to Business Insider.

Advertisement

The affected locations are just outside Cleveland: a delivery station in Euclid - the last stop before packages reach customers - and a warehouse in Northfield.

"We are supporting the individuals who are recovering," company spokesman Timothy Carter told Business Insider.

He added: "We've implemented a broad suite of new benefits changes for employees in our operations and logistics network including an additional $2 per hour, double time for overtime, and paid time off benefits for regular part-time and seasonal employees."

Carter did not respond to a request for additional information about when the employees who tested positive were last at the facilities.

Advertisement

The company confirmed the cases after a worker reached out to Business Insider, expressing concern that Amazon was not doing enough to protect its employees.

"I respect that we are delivering to those quarantined," the worker said, requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation, "but our safety should not be at risk while doing so. Our lives and families are essential, as well." The worker's identity is known to us.

Dozens of Amazon warehouses have now reported cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Last week, Amazon revealed that infected individuals had been inside warehouses in Indiana and just outside Washington, D.C., after workers contacted Business Insider.

The online retailer has not responded to several requests from Business Insider for a comprehensive list of facilities that have reported COVID-19 cases.

Amazon recently announced it plans to hire 100,000 additional workers to meet delivery demand during the coronavirus pandemic that has put many under stay-at-home orders. The company is hiring warehouse employees, delivery drivers, and shoppers, Business Insider's Hayley Peterson previously reported.

Advertisement

Have a news tip? Email this reporter at cdavis@insider.com.

Exclusive FREE Report: 30 Big Tech Predictions for 2020 by Business Insider Intelligence

{{}}