ADDITIONAL testing is to be carried out on staff after an outbreak of Covid 19 at a Cornish meat processing plant.

Public Health England (PHE) South West and Cornwall Council say they are aware of a number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Kepak meat processing factory, Bodmin.

There will be additional testing taking place on site this week for employees only. These measures are preventative and will provide vital data to help stop the spread of the virus. This approach has worked well in other similar outbreaks in food processing sites.

Rachel Wigglesworth, Cornwall Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “We are working with the factory owners, Public Health England South West and our NHS partners to provide public health advice and help stop the spread of the virus. Employees who need to isolate have already been excluded from work and given support to isolate.

“We have been discussing their ongoing measures to ensure it is safe for staff to attend work as normal. However, if anyone does develop symptoms, which include a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss or change to their sense of taste or smell, they should self-isolate straight away.”

A spokesperson for Kepac Group said: “Kepak is providing advice and support to any staff member who needs to self-isolate due to either a positive result or being a close contact of a confirmed case. We are working closely the Public Health case review team to ensure that all contacts are identified.

"The Group is working tirelessly to protect its staff as well as ensuring the continuity of secure food supply during this pandemic. All staff members returning to work are following the Company’s COVID-19 return to work guidelines”.

Anyone identified as a close contact linked to the positive cases will be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service.

Anyone who is contacted, should only get tested if you go on to develop symptoms. Even if they test negative, they must still self-isolate for 14 days.

ENDS.