The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Virus ‘controlled’ at factory
H factoryealth experts are confident a Covid outbreak at a Perthshire food is being brought under control.
Several staff at the 2 Sisters abattoir in Coupar Angus tested positive this week. A small number of workers are now isolating.
It follows a major outbreak in summer when the factory was forced to close and all 1,200 employees went into quarantine for two weeks.
NHS Tayside and the council are keeping a close eye on the latest cases.
Council leader Murray Lyle said: “The situation is being monitored but it looks like it is being managed and it will be brought under control.
“I have been getting regular updates and so far I’ve heard nothing that causes alarm.”
He said the number of positive cases linked to the factory had increased from five to seven on Wednesday evening.
NHS Tayside would not confirm the latest numbers, but said it was still in single figures.
A spokeswoman said no further action was required, and an incident management team had not been set up.
It is understood the number of cases has been kept low, partly due to a much reduced workforce over Christmas.
Staff told The Courier they had only found out about the cases through word of mouth while chatting to other staff.
The company did not respond to the claims when contacted by The Courier.
Meanwhile, 17 residents and seven members of staff have tested positive for Covid-19 at a Kirkcaldy care home.
Chapel Level Care Home, run by HC- One, has been closed to all non-essential visitors and new admissions.
A number of residents are said to be “very poorly”, according to sources but there have been no deaths attributed to Covid at the care home as yet.
A spokesperson for HCOne said: “Our residents are our absolute priority and we are taking all steps to minimise further spread of the virus including caring for residents in their rooms, continuing to restrict staff movement and focusing on infection control.
“We are doing everything we can to support our residents to return to good health.
“Affected colleagues are away from work and selfisolating until they have recovered, and we wish them well.
“The home is closed to non-essential visitors and admissions and we continue to work closely with our local health partners to respond to the outbreak.
“We have the staff, PPE and equipment we need, and we are grateful for the ongoing support and understanding of our families.”
“I’ve heard nothing that causes alarm