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September 1, 2020

East Windsor mattress manufacturer reports COVID-19 outbreak

Photo | Contributed A number of bedding manufacturers have opened production plants in Greater Hartford in recent years.
By Joe Cooper

A mattress manufacturer in East Windsor says at least 10 of its approximately 190 workers from several towns in Connecticut and Massachusetts have tested positive for COVID-19, First Selectman Jason E. Bowsza announced late Monday.

Bowsza in a Facebook post said the town is working with Blue Bell Mattress CO. LLC, the North Central District Health Department (NCDHD) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) to address the coronavirus outbreak at the manufacturing facility on Thompson Road.

Health officials have confirmed that none of the 10 affected employees are East Windsor residents, and that the outbreak is not connected to another one reported last week at nearby Mulnite Farms, where more than 30 workers contracted the novel coronavirus.

According to Bowsza, town officials in coordination with state and local health officials have set up an in-person review of Blue Bell’s safety practices sometime early next week. COVID-19 testing will also be provided for employees.

“We have been working with the company, DPH and NCDHD to make sure proper measures are being taken at Blue Bell Mattress to protect employees and the public,” Bowsza said in a statement, reminding residents to take safety precautions to avoid a second flare up of the virus in Connecticut. “The company has been working closely with local and state officials to address this situation, but it is important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over.”

A company representative in a statement said it implemented strict employee safety protocols at the start of the public health emergency in March. However, Blue Bell, which is headquartered in Illinois, said it cannot control the conduct of its employees outside of the workplace.

“We are very confident that we will be able to control the recent incidence of individuals who test positive, but most importantly, we are 100% confident that our employees and our products will remain safe,” the representative said.

In addition to producing mattresses, Blue Bell said it has also been making personal protective equipment during the pandemic for front-line healthcare workers and others. That work helped the company qualify as an essential business and keep its doors open throughout the health crisis.

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