88 Amazon workers in Shakopee test positive for coronavirus

The Amazon fulfillment center in Shakopee has one of the larger coronavirus outbreaks in a warehouse or distribution plant setting, according to state health officials.

At least 88 of its approximately 1,000 workers have tested positive for the disease caused by the virus. Another 99 workers at other Amazon sites in the Twin Cities have also tested positive since COVID-19 arrived in Minnesota.

Kris Ehresmann, director of infectious disease for the Minnesota Health Department, said state officials are reaching out to employers when clusters at workplaces begin to emerge, the Star Tribune reported.

“Anytime we have a situation in which a worksite is a critical workforce and they’re in a position where they don’t have the luxury of working from home, or working in a cubicle ... you tend to see a greater likelihood of transmission,” Ehresmann said.

Ehresmann said they are providing guidance to mitigate the spread of the disease.