Access to a facility at the Department of Energy’s Hanford Site in Washington state has been almost entirely closed off while an employee is tested for infection by novel coronavirus 2019.
“A Hanford Site employee is undergoing testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Access to T64-B in the 200 East Area where the employee worked has been restricted, with the exception of authorized janitorial staff, as a precaution until it can be disinfected,” according to a notice on the website for the cleanup site. “In accordance with Benton Franklin Health District guidance, personnel assigned to T64-B are not being directed to take any action at this time but should be aware and monitor themselves for symptoms. If you have any questions contact your manager.”
Anecdotal data indicates there had been 66 cases of COVID-19 as of last week at the former plutonium production complex. Ten employees informed management between Tuesday and Friday that they had tested positive for the viral disease. There are about 11,000 workers at Hanford.
Hanford is one of 16 locations being remediated under the watch of DOE’s Office of Environmental Management. As of Friday, the office reported 88 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the facilities, down from 94 the preceding week.
Most Hanford federal and contractor personnel have been off-site since March, either teleworking or on paid leave, to help prevent the spread of the disease through the workforce. The facility this week will remain in Phase 1 of the department’s four-part remobilization system, “with an incremental increase in the site population to support the mission,” the notice says. In Phase 1, key personnel and workers in low-risk jobs are allowed on-site. Phase 3 is the final segment, with on-site operations at roughly pre-pandemic levels.
