Another shipyard employee has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID 19).
Jennifer Boykin, president of the Newport News Shipbuilding, wrote in a Facebook post on Monday the individual self-reported after receiving confirmation from a doctor.
The individual, who works on the first shift in Building 4931 on the first floor, has not been on company property since March 18 and is currently recovering under quarantine.
Boykin wrote the that company reached out to employees who worked near or came into close contact with the individual and a small number have been told to self-quarantine as a precautionary measure.
She asked employees who test positive for the coronavirus to immediately report it to their supervisor.
“This is exactly what our first two confirmed cases did,” she added. “These individuals are heroes in my eyes, and we all owe them our respect and gratitude.”
She added per the government’s announcement to close schools, liberal leave is now extended through the end of April.
“These are difficult times, and we all have tough choices to make,” Boykin wrote to employees. “We will continue to do our best to offer you flexibility and options, and I will continue to be open and transparent as we learn more and make additional decisions.”
“I encourage you to do what is best for you and your family, knowing that you will have a job to come back to on the other side of this pandemic.”
This is the shipyard’s second case of the coronavirus.
As of Tuesday, James City County remains to have one of the highest positive cases of coronavirus at 37; Williamsburg has 5, York County, 6 and Newport News, 3, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The death toll in Virginia stands at 7 – one in Fairfax County, one in Virginia Beach and 5 in the Peninsula Health District.
Virginia, as of Tuesday, has 290 positive coronavirus cases.
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