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Amazon employee in Kent tests positive for coronavirus

KENT, Wash. — An Amazon fulfillment center worker in Kent has tested positive for the coronavirus.

On Saturday, KIRO 7 received this statement from Amazon regarding the person: “We are supporting the individual who is recovering. We are following guidelines from health officials and medical experts, and are taking extreme measures to ensure the safety of employees at our site.”

Amazon is contacting employees who may have had close contact with the person and will ask them to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Amazon told KIRO 7 it will pay employees diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in quarantine for up to two weeks.

The company said it has implemented a series of preventive measures for its employees, which include increased frequency and intensity of cleaning at all its sites and adjusted practices to ensure social distancing within its buildings.

This new case comes after a report earlier this week by the Seattle Times where unnamed workers said Amazon was not doing enough to keep workers safe.