Lockheed Martin employee dies after coronavirus exposure, company says
A longtime Lockheed Martin third-shift employee has died, likely related to COVID-19, according to officials.
Spokesman Ken Ross said the company does not have any confirmation or details from the employee’s family or medical authorities regarding the cause of death.
However, according to information from the company, Claude Daniels left the facility on March 31. He told his supervisor that he had been in contact with someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19. That person was not a Lockheed employee, according to a source. Daniels began to self-quarantine.
On April 5, Daniels called a Lockheed supervisor and said he was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
“Our Lockheed Martin team is saddened to learn of his passing,” Ross said. “Our hearts are heavy with the loss of a devoted colleague, and our thoughts are with those who knew and loved him.”
According to a Facebook group for Lockheed Martin employees, Daniels was a material handler and his wife worked at Lockheed for more than 30 years.
Coworkers on social media said Daniels was a kind man with a strong sense of humor.
Following the exposure, Lockheed officials said they directed others who had been likely exposed to self-quarantine and his work area was sanitized.
“Lockheed Martin’s top priority has and will continue to be the health and well-being of our employees and partners no matter where they work around the world,” Ross said. “We will continue to use best practices to mitigate risks and protect our workforce and partners, while ensuring we meet our commitments to national security.”
Of the company’s 18,000 employees, eight have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Two non-employee residents have also tested positive.
An online petition signed by 3,791 people on Sunday afternoon calls for Lockheed to temporarily shut down with pay.
Lockheed is considered a part of the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.
“Like other citizens who have been asked to continue working at hospitals, pharmacies, urgent care facilities and government offices to support our communities, the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security guidance recognizes the unique role the defense industrial base represents to the nation and that we, as the national security workforce, must continue to provide essential capabilities to our military as they carry out their critical missions,” Ross said.
This story was originally published April 12, 2020 at 4:51 PM.
