22 COVID-19 cases connected to factory

NHS Tayside has confirmed 22 positive COVID-19 cases have been connected to the Thermo Fisher Scientific factory in Perth.

Construction work has been under way to expand the American company’s Inveralmond site to help meet the global demand for COVID tests.

The building work was due to be completed in early 2021 but a COVID outbreak on site has forced many to self-isolate.

The factory is being expanded to allow the manufacture of eight million sample collection tubes a week.

The sample collection tubes will be used to safely collect and transport clinical specimens that may contain the COVID-19 virus.

An NHS Tayside spokesperson said: “NHS Tayside’s health protection team has been made aware of 22 cases of COVID-19 connected to Thermo Fisher scientific factory.

“The factory is working closely with NHS Tayside’s public health team and Perth and Kinross Council.

“Contact tracing is complete and staff are being given appropriate advice and support to self-isolate if required.

“The IMT (Incident Management Team) is not planning to meet again and NHS Tayside’s public health team will keep the situation under close review.”

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser told the PA the outbreak shows the need to “be on our guard”.

The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP said: “I am concerned to hear of the outbreak of COVID at the Thermo Fisher plant in Perth.

“It just underlines how this virus can spread and how we all have to be on our guard.

“I understand that the company organised a deep clean of one area of the site and also carried out contact tracing, so they appear to have used measures to try to address the situation.

“It is good to hear that Thermo Fisher is working to ensure that employees can carry out their jobs in a safe environment.”