An Amazon warehouse in Minnesota was the site of a spike in COVID-19 cases, according to recently released data from the Minnesota Department of Health.
The warehouse in Shakopee, Minnesota had 88 positive cases in approximately 70 days. It employs approximately 1,000 people, which means that approximately 1 in 12 employees contracted the virus.
The cases were reported from April 4 to June 14, and most occurred between late April and mid-May.
The Minnesota health department said the Shakopee warehouse outbreak is one of the largest it has seen, but not the worst. A meat packing plant in Cold Spring, Minnesota, saw 194 cases in May.
Amazon’s situation has improved since the implementation of new state recommendations and they were working to mitigate the spread, according to state health officials.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, a total of 187 coronavirus cases were confirmed among Amazon workers across Minnesota. However, it is unclear whether employees contracted the disease on the job.
Amazon did not respond to NBC News’ request for comment and has repeatedly declined to provide a full count of how many workers tested positive or died from COVID-19.
According to an NBC News count, at least 10 Amazon warehouse workers have been killed by COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. The deaths occurred among warehouse workers in New York, Illinois, California, Indiana and Ohio.
Amazon is not alone in experiencing an increase in cases. Factories and warehouses across the country have frequently seen a growing number, including numerous meat-packing plants, a manufacturer of beauty products, and a plant that manufactures wind turbine blades.
Amazon has said it tracks contacts whenever there is a positive test and uses video surveillance to track employee locations and proximity.
Amazon has been under pressure from current and past employees to provide safer conditions in its warehouses.
Minnesota worker Jamal Omer voiced concerns about warehouse conditions to his manager before testing positive last month.
“Every day I was worried,” said Omer. “I have complained many times.”
His wife, two of his children, and his 75-year-old mother-in-law also tested positive.
Amazon has said it began cleaning up high-contact areas like elevator buttons, door handles, and railings in-depth in late February and early March. The masks were made available and required of all workers beginning April 15, and a couple of weeks later they started a disinfectant spraying process called “misting” in their warehouses, the company said.
