Amazon workers test positive for COVID-19

Workers at Amazon warehouses across the United States have tested positive for COVID-19 at the same time the online marketplace is trying to hire new staff to meet a surge in demand.

In recent days, warehouse workers at two separate sites in New York City — in Staten Island and Queens — in addition to employees at warehouses in Jacksonville, Fla., Oklahoma City, Brownstown, Mich., Katy, Tex., Wallingford, Conn. and Shepherdsville, Ky., have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. In response, Amazon temporarily closed down facilities in some cases in order for the centers to be sanitized.

Workers at Amazon warehouses in Italy and Spain have also tested positive. Some 1,500 Amazon employees signed a petition that urged Amazon to take more steps to protect them, according to the Post. Individuals who test positive will be sent home for a paid 14-day quarantine. Amazon says it's also ramped up the rates with which it cleans facilities, including everything from touchscreens to door handles.

"We are supporting the individuals, following guidelines from local officials, and taking extreme measures to ensure the safety of all the employees at our sites," said Amazon in a statement.

If Amazon starts to face more cases in its warehouses or delivery networks, it could significantly weaken its ability to get packages to its millions of customers who have been told to stay home, potentially for months. Additionally, more warehouse workers may opt to stay home to avoid getting the illness.

Read more -here-