70 virus cases at supermarket veg suppliers
Buildings on the family farm in Herefordshire
MORE than 70 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed among seasonal workers living at a vegetable farm which supplies supermarkets.
The outbreak is being monitored by Public Health England, with 200 workers told to self-isolate in mobile homes on the 1,000 acre Herefordshire site.
Workers were tested en-masse after some showed coronavirus symptoms this week. Herefordshire Council is arranging food and essential supplies. Measures already in place at family-run producers AS Green and Co in Mathon, near Malvern, include on-site testing, personal protective equipment, promoting social distancing and regular hand washing.
Katie Spence, Midlands Health Protection Director, said: Rook Row farm “Despite these measures, a small number of workers became symptomatic this week and they and a few close contacts were tested and found to be positive.
“Affected individuals were asked to self-isolate for seven days, and their households and close contacts asked for 14 days. Currently we have 73 cases of Covid-19 among the workforce.”
Karen Wright, Director of Public Health for the county, added: “An outbreak of this kind is not unexpected. Prompt testing allowed us to control the spread of infection.”
AS Green said: “Public Health England advises that it is very unlikely Covid-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging, so shoppers can remain confident buying British fruit and veg.”