Meat and Poultry Workers COVID-19 Case Rates 60 Percent Lower than General U.S. Population

New analysis of independent data show that reported new COVID-19 infection rates among meat and poultry workers are 60% lower than in the general U.S. population and two-thirds lower than case rates in the sector in May 2020.

According to data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network (FERN), the meat and poultry sector was reported to have 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.

The New York Times reports that in January 2021, the average new case rate for the U.S. population climbed to 78.59 cases per 100,000 people per day, more than 11 times higher than the new case rate in May.

The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) is the leading voice for the meat and poultry industry and are taking steps to urge the use of CDC guidelines in these facilities. To find more on case rates and health and safety measures, including vaccination, visit the NAMI website here.