WALLULA, Wash. — Walla Walla County health officials say they will allow the Tyson Fresh Meats plant near the Tri-Cities to continue operating with additional measures to protect workers from the new coronavirus.

About 42 people — most, if not all of them, employees — are believed to have COVID-19 linked to an outbreak at the Wallula plant, with health officials expecting more cases.

They include 36 people in Benton and Franklin counties. Most tested positive for the new coronavirus, but the total may include a few people with no test results who have had symptoms and close contact with those confirmed to have COVID-19.

Another six cases are reported in Walla Walla County, according to the latest information from Walla Walla County Emergency Management and the county’s Department of Community Health.

“We have two options — close the plant for 14 days and hope their employees stay under quarantine for those two weeks while at home, or work with them to be successful in prevention efforts,” said Meghan DeBolt, the Walla Walla County director of community health.

“It is likely that if the plant closes, transmission among workers will continue at home,” she said.

“We cannot guarantee that everyone will stay home, stay healthy,” she said.

Tyson employs about 1,400 at the plant south of Pasco.

Tyson began taking steps to prevent transmission among employees at its Wallula beef slaughter and processing plant a week ago.

But DeBolt does not expect to see the full effect for at least another week.

“We’re working hard to protect our team members during this ever-changing situation, while also ensuring we continue fulfilling our critical role of helping feed people across the country,” said Gary Mickelson, senior director of public relations for Tyson Food.