Coronavirus News: At Least 600 Amazon Workers Have Tested Positive For COVID-19

An Amazon (AMZN) employee has tracked the number of COVID-19 cases among the e-commerce giant’s facilities, saying at least 600 workers have tested positive for the coronavirus with another six dying from the virus.

Amazon worker Jana Jumpp revealed to 60 Minutes that she has been tracking the coronavirus cases at Amazon through the automated messages she received from her employer, and by connecting with coworkers across the U.S. Jumpp has worked at an Amazon warehouse in Indiana for more than four years.

Jumpp, who is using Amazon’s extended stay-at-home benefits because she fears for her health, told the news outlet that “the number is higher than this, but we have at least 600 [cases],” Jumpp also said that six Amazon employees have died from COVID-19.

Amazon has come under fire for its handling of the coronavirus at its fulfillment centers as demand for essential items from the retailer increased significantly during the pandemic.

Amazon said it has invested $800 million in safety measures to protect its employees by adding temperature checks, hand washing stations, and self-administered COVID-19 testing. The company also offers two weeks paid time off for those employees that test positive for COVID-19 or believe they are positive.

The company also offers unlimited, unpaid time off for employees that are uncomfortable working during the coronavirus pandemic. Amazon has also increased employee pay from $15 to $17 through May 16.

But employees don’t believe enough is being done to protect them from the coronavirus. The company’s employees have held protests and walkouts over hazard pay, enhanced sick leave, and better cleaning procedures.

Dave Clark, Amazon’s head of operations, told 60 Minutes that “we've been early on the curve to this than most employers, particularly major employers in the U.S.”

Shares of Amazon stock were up 1.53% as of 3:36 p.m. EDT on Monday.