Bridgestone US plant sees more Covid cases in May

Des Moines, Iowa — Production has ‘safely’ continued at Bridgestone Americas' farm tire plant in Des Moines despite a rise in confirmed cases of Covid-19 among employees, the company said in a recent statement.

As of 26 May, there were 24 employees who had tested positive for coronavirus. The company said one of those cases occurred when the plant was shut down 21 March – 13 April. 

"The well-being and safety of employees remains the company's most important value," Bridgestone said 26 May.

"The Des Moines plant continues to operate on a regular schedule and in alignment with the latest safety protocol guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support a safe and healthy environment for employees."

The Des Moines plant, opened in 1945 by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., had its first employee test positive for coronavirus 23 April. 

At the time, the company said the employee was in home isolation, and all other employees who may have come into contact with the affected person were asked to self-quarantine and contact a doctor if symptoms arose. The company also went through a deep clean of any areas where the employee may have been.

The Des Moines plant employs around 1,050 and is rated at 4,000 tires a day. Other than saying production was on schedule, the company didn't elaborate on specific current production.