The Lennox plant in Marshalltown halted production Thursday after learning an employee tested positive for COVID-19, according to Lennox employees.

The only information released from Lennox in a local statement is the plant is on an emergency shutdown of all shifts with hopes of resuming production on third-shift Sunday. An official statement from its corporate office is pending. Marshall County Public Health Nurse Pat Thompson confirmed one positive test in Marshall County on Thursday.

However, several Lennox employees said they were sent home around 12:30 p.m. after being told an employee had tested positive for COVID-19.

“Right after lunch we were told someone contracted the virus and so they were shutting down the plant,” said a Lennox worker, who spoke under a condition of anonymity. “We were told to gather our belongings and leave.”

According to the UAW Local 893, the plant is shut down for deep cleaning. Billie Rice, Local 893 secretary, said the union declined further comment but referred to the union’s Facebook post.

The Marshall County Department of Public Health did not immediately return phone calls.