Coronavirus: 18 staff test positive at Bernard Matthews plant
© Tim Scrivener Eighteen workers at Bernard Matthews’ turkey processing plant in Suffolk have tested positive for coronavirus.
The infections came to light after 100 staff were tested at Bernard Matthews’ Holton plant near Halesworth, a company spokesman confirmed.
Early findings from an investigation into the outbreak suggested it started away from the plant in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, where most of the affected staff live.
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The staff members are self-isolating for 14 days, while any close contacts are following government guidelines.
Minimal disruption
Bernard Matthews reassured customers and suppliers that the outbreak would not cause disruption to the plant’s operation due to control measures already in place.
“While we believe these cases initiated in the community, we will continue to enforce our robust Covid-19 measures as we enter our busiest period of the year.”
Controls include regular temperature checks, staff working in bubbles, masks and visors and social distancing throughout the site.
The policy is upheld by designated Covid marshals, the spokesman added.
How long to self-isolate
If you have symptoms or have tested positive for coronavirus, you’ll usually need to self-isolate for at least 10 days.
You’ll usually need to self-isolate for 14 days if:
- someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive
- someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
- you’ve been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
What to do if staff develop symptoms?
Staff should self-isolate immediately if they develop symptoms, which include:
- a new continuous cough
- high temperature
- loss or change to their sense of taste or smell
Then arrange a Covid-19 test through the NHS website.
Source: NHS