The electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd, known internationally as Foxconn Technology Group, sheds light on a viral video surrounding their factory located in Zhengzhou, China.

A viral video circulated on Twitter stating that at least eight COVID-infected factory workers are suspected of having died as a result of "lack of care" amidst the recent COVID outbreak in the city. Netizens replied to the Twitter thread with negative criticism toward tech giant Foxconn regarding the alleged health-risk situation.

According to CNBC, Foxconn conducted a "detailed investigation" of the controversial video. On Tuesday, Foxconn took to Twitter to release a statement clarifying that there have been no deaths following the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the Zhengzhou factory.

In its public statement, the tech manufacturer group doubled down on the rumors by calling the video "maliciously edited."

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Apple Affected by Foxconn's COVID Situation?

Zhengzhou has been hailed as the "iPhone city" due to producing about half of Apple's global supply of iPhones. However, with the recent COVID outbreak in the factory, Reuters reports that Apple may be facing a decline of 30% in the production of Apple products in November.

The recent production obstacle comes after Apple revealed a drop in sales following the release of the iPhone 14 in September and may become a threat to the tech giant's crucial holiday season sales.

"Due to our diversified production sites in China, we have adjusted the production line to minimize the potential impact," Foxconn revealed in a statement to CNBC.

Foxconn first encountered emerging COVID-19 cases in their Shenzhen, China factory in March, which led to a temporary suspension of production of Apple products. The Zhengzhou factory outbreak, which started in October, has prompted the management to take safety measures by restricting factory workers from leaving the premises and having them tested regularly, hence the low production rate.

Not the Only Controversial Foxconn Video

Additionally, the alleged death surrounding the Zhengzhou incident is not the only viral video circulating online. Since the Foxconn factory's COVID flare, several workers have attempted to escape the factory due to the health precautions refraining employees from leaving the premises.

A viral video circulating on Twitter shows employees attempting to climb a high fence, jump off of the other side to flee from the lockdown and walk more than 100 kilometers away to the nearest hometown. The Twitter thread is updated with related videos of the mass employee escape.

Following the viral video, Foxconn told Reuters in an emailed statement on Sunday, Oct. 30, that employees were allowed to leave the factory if they chose to.

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Written by: Andi C.