By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/watch-live-white-house-covid-task-force-holds-briefing-6 Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: White House COVID task force holds briefing Health Updated on Oct 27, 2021 6:07 PM EDT — Published on Oct 27, 2021 1:38 PM EDT The White House COVID task force held a briefing on Wednesday as the U.S. begins to implement nationwide booster shots. Watch the briefing in the player above. A U.S. House report says at least 59,000 meatpacking workers became ill with COVID-19 and 269 workers died when the virus tore through the industry last year. The report released Wednesday shows the coronavirus hit the industry much harder than previously thought. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union earlier this week estimated 22,400 workers were sickened by the virus. With workers standing shoulder-to-shoulder along production lines, the meatpacking industry was one of the early epicenters of the coronavirus pandemic. The House report says companies could have done more to protect their employees. By — Associated Press Associated Press
The White House COVID task force held a briefing on Wednesday as the U.S. begins to implement nationwide booster shots. Watch the briefing in the player above. A U.S. House report says at least 59,000 meatpacking workers became ill with COVID-19 and 269 workers died when the virus tore through the industry last year. The report released Wednesday shows the coronavirus hit the industry much harder than previously thought. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union earlier this week estimated 22,400 workers were sickened by the virus. With workers standing shoulder-to-shoulder along production lines, the meatpacking industry was one of the early epicenters of the coronavirus pandemic. The House report says companies could have done more to protect their employees.