Contact tracing and testing ongoing

The 2 Sisters company, which earlier dealt with a serious outbreak at another factory in Wales, alerted NHS Tayside after the number of cases began to climb on Sunday.

Director of Public Health Dr Emma Fletcher confirmed an Incident Management Team (IMT) was convened and measures were put in place to prevent further transmission of the virus.

“The people confirmed to have the infection and their close contacts in the community have been identified and advice provided,” she said.

“Further contact tracing within the factory setting is ongoing.

“Arrangements to provide testing for all factory workers are in process.”

Staff were told about the factory closure in a letter from site director Brian Glennie.

“In light of the current level of cases and self-isolations, we have decided to take the necessary action to clearly demonstrate how seriously we take this issue by doing the right thing,” he wrote.

Staff have been advised to book a test if they have symptoms, and let bosses know of the results.

The case was referred to by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at her daily briefing before the number of cases was known to have increased to nine.

“So far this outbreak has four confirmed cases, however contact tracing and testing is still ongoing,” she said.

“The plant’s owners have closed the facility as part of their work with us to control any outbreak. These clusters show that the virus is still out there and it continues to pose a very real and serious risk. It is highly infectious and once it takes hold, it can spread very rapidly.

“All of us have a responsibility in all that we do to stop that from happening.”

The company put measures in place to prevent an outbreak and support staff with physical distancing at the beginning of lockdown.

Dr Emma Fletcher, director of public health.