Report: 35 Construction Workers at Bryant-Denny Stadium Diagnosed with COVID-19
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — An outbreak of the novel coronavirus has infected at least 35 construction workers at the ongoing renovations being undertaken at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Joseph Goodman of Al.com was the first to report the news.
The outbreak is the second — albeit larger — outbreak to have impacted the construction site since construction began late last year. The first incident occurred in May consisted of a small outbreak.
Caddell Construction Company, the contractor responsible for overseeing the renovations at the stadium, provided a statement to Al.com ensuring its commitment to the health and safety of its workers.
“We are committed to the health and safety of our workforce. We continue to meet or exceed the evolving OSHA and CDC guidelines, along with ongoing training and constant safety and health reminders,” Caddell's statement read. “Temperature checks every morning and hand washing stations throughout the site are standard procedure, as well as strong encouragement to wear masks and practice social distancing. Anyone who exhibits symptoms is sent home immediately."
The statement went on to discuss the project's difficulties as well as a brief expression of well-wishes to those infected.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is a difficult challenge added to a complex project," the statement read. "We are proud of our team and their dedication to caring for our workforce at Bryant-Denny. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have tested positive and with everyone who is working hard on the project every day.”
Despite what Caddell has expressed, multiple workers have gone on the record stating that the mandatory temperature checks, mask and social distancing policies have not been adhered to by their employer.
The outbreak does not appear to have significantly affected the construction's deadline.
Just prior to the news of the outbreak at Bryant-Denny, University of Alabama director of athletics Greg Byrne released images of the construction progress being made on the stadium.
Byrne posted the following images on his Twitter profile on Thursday detailing the ongoing renovations:
