Concerns after 28 more staff test positive at mushroom plant

THE owners of a mushroom plant that suspended operations last week after a Covid case there have expressed concern as 28 more of their staff have since tested positive for the virus.

Walsh Mushrooms in Golden, Co. Tipperary, said yesterday that they are concerned at the level of asymptomatic cases identified after blanket testing over the weekend. On Friday, one staff member had tested positive with the coronavirus at the plant before other close contacts also tested positive. Operations were suspended and blanket testing of all available staff was completed over the weekend.

Yesterday the company said it is waiting for an update on the results from the HSE as RTÉ News reported that 29 of the company’s 170 staff have so far tested positive.

The outbreak follows the news that an employee at the ABP Foods meat factory in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, tested positive for the virus on Friday.

In a statement, Walsh Mushrooms said that ‘the level of asymptomatic positive results is a concern for the business’. ‘Operations were suspended late last week when a member of staff was diagnosed with Covid-19 while in self-isolation,’ the statement read.

‘All staff will be re-tested according to HSE advice on day 7 and day 14.’

The factory added that it had had no incidents of Covid-19 until now and is using the temporary closure to carry out a ‘deep clean’ at the facility.

In a statement, the HSE said the outbreak in Golden is being dealt with ‘very effectively’ and that the safety of the public is the main priority.

Meanwhile, ABP Foods in Cahir said the single case of Covid-19 was confirmed on Friday, and all close contacts of the worker will undergo testing.

In a statement, the company said a range of Covid-19 protection measures have been in place since March. These include temperature checks at the factory entrance, staggered start and end times, and Covid-19 marshals to help everyone with the new processes.