Amazon confirms 2 more cases of coronavirus at a facility in Delaware

• Two workers at an Amazon fulfillment center in Middletown, Delaware, have come down with COVID-19, the company told Business Insider.
• The confirmation follows an internal leak to the press.
• "We are supporting the individuals, who are recovering," a company spokesperson said.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

At least two workers at an Amazon warehouse in Delaware have been infected by the novel coronavirus, Business Insider confirmed Tuesday, following a tip from an employee there.

Amazon informed workers at its facility in Middletown, Delaware, on April 6 that a person on-site March 22 was subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19. Another confirmed case of the disease was discovered on April 7.

"We are supporting the individuals, who are recovering," company spokesperson Timothy Carter told Business Insider. "We are following guidelines from health officials and medical experts, and are taking extreme measures to ensure the safety of employees at our site."

Dozens of Amazon facilities have now reported cases of COVID-19, but the online retailer has declined repeated requests to furnish a complete list of facilities where cases have been reported. The New York Times reported that at least 50 warehouses have seen cases. 

On Monday, the company confirmed cases at two separate facilities outside Cleveland, Ohio, after an employee reached out to Business Insider. 

Last week, Amazon confirmed another case at a warehouse in Indiana now under internal investigation, Amazon said, after Business Insider reported that some managers appeared to be failing to adhere to guidelines on social distancing.

The retailer also told Business Insider about an infected worker at a fulfillment center outside Washington, DC, following another tip from an employee who expressed concern for their safety.

Business Insider's Hayley Peterson previously reported that Amazon plans to hire 100,000 additional workers to meet delivery demand during the coronavirus pandemic. Many around the world and 97% of Americans are under stay-at-home orders, and The Times reported that "orders for Amazon groceries, for example, have been as much as 50 times higher than normal, according to a person with direct knowledge of the business." The company is hiring warehouse employees, delivery drivers, and shoppers.

Thousands of employees, who have been deemed essential and are continuing to work while many people stay home, are on the frontlines and working to organize for better pay and benefits, The Times reported.

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 9 items to avoid buying at Costco

Contributer : Tech Insider https://ift.tt/2VdYLQe

Something that you might miss to see?