Smithfield, the world’s biggest pork producer, has indefinitely shuttered its sprawling pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after more than 230 workers tested positive for the coronavirus.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said the sickened plant employees accounted for more than half of the active coronavirus cases in the state, CNN reported. Noem said she urged Smithfield to suspend operations at the facility for at least two weeks — a recommendation the company agreed to.

Smithfield CEO Kenneth Sullivan warned the closure of the Sioux Falls plant — which employs about 3,700 people and accounts for 4% to 5% of U.S. pork production — combined with the shutdown of other U.S. meat processing facilities ― “is pushing our country perilously close to the edge” of a meat shortfall.

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[Source: Huffington Post]