(WXYZ) — An employee at the General Motors Cole Engineering Center in Warren has tested positive for COVID-19.
GM says it has been in contact with the family and has put its emergency response plan in action.
Employees at the Cole Technical Center and other sites have been directed to work from home, if possible.
In addition, the GM medical team is contacting individuals who may have had direct contact at work with the affected employee.
Those individuals will be directed to self-quarantine for 14 days; the GM medical team will help them coordinate care if they develop symptoms.
"We have been in contact with public health officials and we have moved quickly to deep clean and disinfect work and common areas at the site," the company said.
On Sunday, the Big 3 announced a COVID-19 task force to help employees at auto manufacturing plants and warehouses.
The things being done at plants include enhanced visitor screening, increased cleaning and sanitizing of common areas and touch points, and implementing safety protocols for people with potential exposure.
The UAW released this statement:
“Our thoughts are with our member and their family, coworkers and friends at GM’s Warren Technical Center, who rightfully are worried about their loved one’s health and their exposure to Coronavirus. It is important that our members are quarantined in accordance with U.S. Government Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. The UAW is working with GM to inform any members who should be in quarantine.
Since mid-February, the UAW has been actively monitoring and reacting to issues related to the spread of Coronavirus. We are working with GM on the precautions and measures necessary to protect our UAW GM members and everyone who works in our facilities.
The UAW feels strongly that no member should be disadvantaged in response to doing the right thing regarding the Coronavirus exposure. Our first priority is to ensure the health and welfare of our members. That includes instances of quarantine which are in the best interest of our members, the public and the company operation.
As a reminder to help do our part in this pandemic, we encourage all UAW members and others to wash hands frequently, use hand sanitizer frequently, avoid touching the face and avoid contact with others within 2 to 3 feet, if possible. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a high fever, dry cough or illness, should take precaution.
We are in this together in Solidarity.”