LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WATE) – The staffwide testing conducted after an employee at Wampler’s Farm Sausage tested positive last week has yielded one new positive COVID-19 case, officials announced Monday.

Wampler’s Farm Sausage said the Loudon County Health Department’s testing of employees confirmed one new case, the second at the facility after one employee tested positive on Thursday, May 7.

The two employees worked in separate departments and had no interaction at work, said Ted Wampler Jr., president and CEO of Wampler’s. He added the coronavirus is not spread through food and that the products are safe. Wampler’s will continue to operate under established sanitation policies and maintain social distancing as much as possible to protect employees.

“Everyone needs to realize that what they do as individuals, away from the workplace, is what determines if the workplace is safe or not. Our employees are essential. They always have been to our operation, but now ‘essential’ has taken on new meaning in the pandemic. Having businesses like ours open right now is crucial for the food supply and for our farmers. We are very proud of our team for following proper rules at work. Most of them have also done this at home, and we encourage everyone to do this. Our thoughts and prayers are with our two employees who tested positive and also with all people affected by the virus.”

Ted Wampler, Jr., President and CEO of Wampler’s

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