(Story includes updated numbers and quotes from company officials)
BATTLE CREEK, MI (WTVB/WNWN) – DENSO reported Friday that one employee died after testing positive for COVID-19 and that 18 others in Michigan were stricken by the virus.
The positive tests included 14 at the company’s thermal manufacturing facility in Battle Creek that employs nearly 2,900 workers. The company says nine of the cases at its thermal manufacturing location in Battle Creek cases were confirmed over the past couple of weeks. There were two confirmed cases at DENSO’s small motors facility in Battle Creek.
According to DENSO Manager of Corporate Communication Bridgette LaRose “through working closely with our local health departments, and by conducting our own internal investigation, evidence indicates the virus was contracted by community spread outside the company. We believe this is an indication our safety protocols are working, but if we ever find an incident of transmission in our facilities, we will surely take swift action to protect our associates.”
LaRose went on to say, “we believe DENSO is an incredibly safe environment for our employees, which is evidenced by our stringent safety practices.”
DENSO is a global automotive supplier with more than 170,000 employees worldwide, with more than 27,000 in North America and nearly 5,000 in Michigan.
