A thousand workers at Bernard Matthews to get Covid-19 tests
Members of staff at Bernard Matthews' facility in Holton will receive precautionary tests as part of continued efforts to manage outbreak of coronavirus.
Last updated 16th Oct 2020
In a joint statement from Public Health Suffolk, Public Health England and Bernard Matthews it was revealed that a thousand staff are going to be tested to try and identify those who are asymptomatic.
In total, 72 cases have been identified among staff who live in Norfolk and Suffolk, with 13 employees currently self-isolating at home.
The swabs are being carried out by public health professionals, with all the samples being sent to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for testing.
They say it follows the introduction of additional precautionary measures being put in place to control further the outbreak, including new entrances to aid one-way movement of staff, breaks being staggered and bus marshals have rolled out on the firm's free staff transport.
Stuart Keeble, who's Suffolk's Director of Public Health, said: "We're working very closely with Bernard Matthews and other agencies to put in place all possible measures to stop the spread of Covid-19, identify those affected and therefore protect staff and the public.
"Testing all staff now is a sensible, precautionary and preventative measure that will help us understand who has Covid-19 and who else they have been in conteact with.
"This adds to the strong and clear messages we have been giving to Bernard Matthews staff and the wider public.
"Everyone must remain alert and keep following the social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing advice.
"Together we will be able to stop the spread of Covid-19."
Staff who test positive are being asked to stay at home and self-isolate, it's not thought food production and saftey is affected.
Rebecca Hams, who's a consultant in health protection at Public Health England East said: "Testing and tracing is one of the key steps in identifying and containing the spread of Covid-19, staff at the factory are being tested as a precautionary measure.
"Mass testing in this way will help protect staff and the community, by allowing us to identify people who are carrying the virus but who have not developed symptoms."
It's also been announced today that around 1000 staff at Bernard Matthew's factory in Great Witchingham will also now be tested following a few positive tests.