Clark County Combined Health District
529 E. Home Road
Springfield, Ohio 45503

Charles Patterson, Health Commissioner

For Immediate Release
May 19th, 2020

NEWS
Public Information Office
Emma Smales
661-433-2883

Clark County Combined Health District Identifies COVID-19 Outbreak at Dole Fresh
Vegetables
Springfield, Ohio – The Clark County Combined Health District has identified 20 cases of COVID-19
associated with Dole Fresh Vegetables packaging plant. Of the 20 cases, 12 are Dole employees (10 confirmed,
2 probable) and 8 are contacts of employees (5 confirmed, 3 probable). Three cases are not Clark County
residents.
CCCHD has been working closely with Dole to monitor and contain the outbreak since the first case was
detected on April 22nd. CCCHD environmental health inspectors have visited the facility to ensure all
precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of the virus.
Dole has gone above and beyond the required safety precautions. They have assisted CCCHD in contact tracing
and have directed close contacts of positive cases to stay home and quarantine.
“Dole has been a great partner in the investigation of this outbreak, they have gone over and above the state and
CDC recommendations. They are doing everything right.” Said Charles Patterson, Clark County Health
Commissioner. “It’s important to remember that employees socialize outside of work, ride together to and from
work and in some cases live in close proximity so disease transmission is not confined to the work place.”
CCCHD, in partnership with Dole, continues to monitor the on-going situation.

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