Nuclear worker with COVID-19 dies, SC plant officials say
An employee at a nuclear plant in South Carolina has died after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to Savannah River Nuclear Solutions.
The employee, who was not publicly identified, got sick last week and died soon after, SRNS President and CEO Stuart MacVean said in a news release.
“I regret to inform you that we have lost a member of the SRNS team to a COVID-related death,” MacVean said in the statement. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the individual’s family and friends during this time.”
Grief counseling is being provided to employees in the wake of their colleague’s death at the Savannah River Site atomic weapons and nuclear waste complex near Aiken.
“The loss of a coworker is a somber reminder that we are truly ‘in this together.’ ” MacVean said. “Whether it is during normal operations or during a pandemic, we must look out for each other.”
Through Monday, Savannah River Site officials confirmed 70 staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, 45 have recovered from the virus and been cleared to return to work, it said in the release.
Approximately 11,000 people work at Savannah River Site, the Aiken Standard reported.
On Tuesday, Savannah River Site announced plans to safely resume operations that were reduced as part of the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We will continue to implement enhanced health and safety protocols including; social distancing, mandatory face coverings, and gathering restrictions, as well as continued increased cleaning and sanitation procedures,” officials said. “The working environment at SRS has changed, and information regarding these important new health protocols will be communicated to employees and visitors.”
As of Tuesday, there are 47,214 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina, and 838 coronavirus-related deaths, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
