At least four Seymour factories have reported cases of COVID-19.
Valeo North America informed its employees March 27 a worker had tested positive for the virus. A second case was announced Monday, two more Wednesday and one Thursday for a total of five positive cases.
Lannett Co. Inc. notified workers Tuesday an employee tested positive. That person last worked March 19.
On Thursday, Aisin USA Manufacturing Inc. announced one of its employees had tested positive for the virus and is recovering at home in self-isolation. That employee last worked March 21, and all areas within the plant were cleaned and disinfected two days later, according to information the company sent out to its team members.
Cummins Seymour Engine Plant also notified its workers of a confirmed positive case. That person’s last day working at the plant was Monday.
Jeff Nordman, executive vice president of Aisin, said the company informed the Jackson County Health Department of the positive case and has notified employees who were in direct contact with the person and may have been exposed to the virus. The company also notified its entire workforce, Nordman said.
“We will continue to take proactive and aggressive steps to help prevent the spread of the virus and keep team members and their families safe,” Nordman said.
Valeo’s first positive employee last worked in Plant 1 in Freeman Field Industrial Park on March 22. The county health department notified immediate co-workers, and it was determined contact with other employees was limited.
Midwest Environmental was brought in March 28 to clean and sanitize areas in which the employee worked.
The second case was from Logistics Center 2, and that person’s last day worked was March 20. One of the cases confirmed Wednesday worked in Plant 1 West with their last day worked March 21, and the other was in Plant 1 Tooling Services with their last day worked being March 27. The most recently identified case worked at Plant 1 in the supply chain/customer service office with their last day worked March 24.
Valeo and Aisin are Jackson County’s largest industrial employers with more than 2,000 employees each. Cummins employs more than 1,000 at its Seymour location, and Lannett has around 700 workers.
Aisin shut down its plants in Jackson County on March 23 after Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered all nonessential businesses to close and people to stay home. That shutdown has since been extended to April 17.
The company is allowing employees to use PTO and vacation time or they can file for unemployment during the shutdown. It also continues to pay health insurance costs for workers.
Aisin is the sixth largest supplier of components for the global auto industry, including brakes, transmissions, navigation systems, drivetrain, chassis, body, engine-related parts and electronics.
Valeo manufacturers vehicle lighting systems and also remains on shutdown until April 14 due to the virus.
Both Cummins, a diesel engine maker, and Lannett, a pharmaceutical company, continue to operate but have modified schedules and in some cases reduced hours.