PrimeX: Worker who died had underlying conditions

Located in Lost Hills, PrimeX has been at the forefront of the news regarding the covid-19 pandemic. A July 17 story in Kern Sol News stated that one employee

Jesse Rojas of the Redd Group, a Bakersfield business consulting firm hired by PrimeX to relay information to the media and work with their human resources department, said the company is working closely with the affected family of the deceased worker in order to maintain privacy.

Rojas confirmed there has been one death at PrimeX; however, he said that until the autopsy is concluded, the direct correlation to the virus is unknown.

“The person had underlying medical conditions prior to testing positive for the virus,” Rojas said. “PrimeX is helping the affected family in any way it can. This is a tragic time for this family, and we want to do everything we can to help them.”

The July 17 story stated that according to the United Farm Workers, 40 employee family members had tested positive and that 23 of those were children.

“We have no idea how many family members or individuals outside of PrimeX employees have tested positive, Rojas said.

“As of Wednesday, July 22, the total number of positive cases is 150, and 70 employees have returned to work with written permission from a medical professional or the County Health Department, Rojas said in an email. “Twenty to 25 more employees are expected to return to work in the next three to five days, and another 20 to 25 in the next 10 to 14 days. We are staying in contact and checking up on the remaining employees.”

PrimeX continues to test its employees.

Several calls to the United Farm Workers, who reported the story to Kern Sol News, were not returned.