Over two dozen people working on the renovations of New Orleans' Mercedes Benz Superdome, home of the Saints, have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials for the stadium said in a statement. Out of the 275 daily workers on site, 32 were reportedly infected with the respiratory disease.
As WDBU6 reported, the total working population on site is from those there on a daily basis, but there are some days where the single-day total can balloon up to 400 or 500 people.
Broadmoor LLC, the main contractor for the stadium's renovation project, sent the 32 workers home to isolate away from the job site. In response to this news, the company provided additional personal protective equipment to the workers who remained.
Superdome officials made absolutely sure to note all of the safety guidelines the job site was following, so as to push any blame away from institutional neglect.
"Work has proceeded uninterrupted with mitigation steps that meet or exceed CDC protocols," the statement read. "Broadmoor and Superdome staff continue to work collectively to assure that all workers in the facility adhere to health and safety protocols, which includes access to handwashing stations, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and that all workspaces are cleaned and sanitized daily.
"In addition, medical technicians administer temperature screenings for all workers who enter the Superdome each day, and Broadmoor has instituted social distancing measures, including staggered starts and breaks."
Those who were sent home to isolate will be required to take a coronavirus test before returning to work. There is no word on whether these workers will be given sick leave.
