September 4, 2020

 

Banham Poultry factory COVID-19 outbreak

 

 

 

96 staff of Banham Poultry in Norfolk, the United Kingdom, tested positive for COVID-19.

 

The rise in the number of infected workers at the company’s factory prompted Norfolk public health director Dr Louise Smith to urge all staff there to  self-isolate for 14 days.

 

As of August 31, 477 out of 800 employees have been tested.

 

All staff, that have tested negative as well as those who have not been tested yet, must isolate for 14 days including their entire household.

 

According to Dr Smith, "Staff must isolate for 10 days if they have had a positive test result, and their households, including children, need to isolate for 14 days.

 

"Anyone who has not been tested is urged to apply for a test and more mobile units are being brought in to support this.

 

"As the relevant regulatory agencies have confirmed the building has been deep cleaned, the company is bringing in a new group of 45 people to continue to staff the slaughterhouse.

 

"This will ensure that the euthanising of birds can continue, in accordance with the usual regulations."

 

Dr. Smith said that although "precautionary" COVID-19 testing had been extended to all staff, there was no evidence of a spread of this outbreak to the wider community.

 

 Banham Poultry managing director Blaine van Rensburg said last week that the "safety of our employees remains our number one priority."

 

"We continue to ensure that PPE is used appropriately by all employees and have teams in place to encourage and monitor social distancing measures," Dr Smith added.

 

- BBC