A document obtained by Weapons Complex Morning Briefing indicates the Department of Energy’s environmental contractor at the Portsmouth Site in Ohio has confirmed at least 73 cases of COVID-19 so far during the pandemic, with three of those reported in recent days.
The document summarizes COVID-19 data compiled through Tuesday by Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth, the decommissioning contractor for the former gaseous diffusion plant complex.
Fluor-BWXT and DOE officials at the site did not respond to inquiries Wednesday.
The document says there are currently 22 active cases, with 51 of the 73 individuals who were infected with the virus having recovered. There are 96 workers quarantined.
Of Fluor-BWXT’s 1,941 total employees, 1,543 are now working onsite, which includes some workers receiving paid time off. Another 212 are teleworking and 124 on leave, according to the document.
Statewide in Ohio there have been more than 437,000 total cases of COVID-19 and over 6,600 deaths, according to an Ohio Department of Health dashboard. There have been more than 6,900 cases of the virus in the four counties immediately surrounding the Portsmouth Site, according to the Fluor-BWXT document.
Meanwhile, a county commissioner in one of those four localities, Scioto, has died from COVID-19. The Portsmouth Daily Times reported Saturday that Scioto County Commissioner Mike Crabtree, age 71, had been hospitalized due to the virus. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Tuesday that Crabtree has died.
“It is with a broken heart and profound regret that we announce the passing of our dear friend,” the Scioto County Commission said in a Wednesday Facebook post.
