A chicken processing plant, operated by 2 Sisters Food Group in Coupar Angus, Scotland, has been hit with a second Covid-19 outbreak among its staff after a first outbreak that occurred last August.
Unlike the first outbreak, many of the recent cases have been determined to have been transmitted through the community rather than the workplace.
An exact figure has not been released but it has been reported that “dozens” of staff have tested positive for Covid-19.
Dr. Emma Fletcher, director of public health for Tayside NHS, who is chairing the Incident Management Team (IMT), said:
“The IMT has conducted a comprehensive risk assessment of the cases associated with the factory. For several reasons the public should be reassured that it is possible for the factory to remain open at this time as we are in a very different position to when there were Covid-19 cases at the factory last August.
Firstly, 2 Sisters [has] put in place a number of measures to reduce the risk of transmission within the factory. These have been reviewed regularly and assurance provided by the relevant regulatory authorities.
“The rate of community infection is much higher compared to August’s outbreak.
“Therefore, we will identify cases of Covid-19 in employees of 2 Sisters, as in any workplace, at this time.
Many of the cases are likely to have contracted the infection outside the factory setting.
“We have also built on our experience from the cases at the factory last year and work closely with the factory ensuring full contact tracing is completed for all staff contacts and advice and support provided to employees affected through partner agencies of the IMT,” she concluded.
