SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Employees at a Smithfield pork processing plant in South Dakota where a coronavirus outbreak infected over 800 people saw something new as they showed up to work. They were greeted Wednesday by nearly a dozen Sioux Falls residents with thank you signs, cheers and waves.

The event was organized by a group of friends who wanted to give meatpacking workers a show of support similar to what health care workers have received during the pandemic. Smithfield has instructed many workers to return to work this week as it looks to scale up operations by the end of the month.