Three new Pacific County COVID-19 cases believed tied to Astoria seafood processing plant

Three additional positive cases of COVID-19 were reported in Pacific County Monday and are believed to be linked to cases already reported at Bornstein Seafood Company in Astoria, Ore., according to Pacific County Public Health.

The three individuals are self-isolating and close contacts of the individuals are being contacted by public health nurses with instructions to quarantine per state Department of Health Guidelines.

According to multiple media reports Monday, Borenstein Seafood closed its processing plant in Astoria after 11 employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Clatsop County health staff met with workers at Bornstein Seafoods on Saturday and tested 35 people showing symptoms, The Astorian reported. The paper said the county has received the results for 30 of the tests, which included the 11 positive cases. The remaining five test results are expected later Monday or Tuesday. The county plans to test more employees on Tuesday.

The new positive results bring the total of cases attributed to Pacific County to seven. The first case attributed to the county involved an individual who was out of the county when they tested positive for COVID-19 and was being treated out of the area died earlier this month.

“We continue to encourage the public to maintain social distancing by staying at home except for essential business and practice personal protective measures to include washing hands often with soapy water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching your face, and wearing a face covering in public,” read the Public Health statement.