Cranswick has warned that there will be disruption to production after what has been described as a ‘significant’ COVID-19 outbreak emerged at its Watton plant.
Norfolk County Council said is working with Public Health England and Cranswick Foods to tackle the outbreak at the Norfolk site.
Norfolk’s director of public health, Dr Louise Smith, said: “Testing of staff at Cranswick Foods has revealed a significant outbreak. At this stage we have identified about 140 positive cases out of around 300 tested so far. The analysis of swabs continues and the remaining staff on site are being tested today and tomorrow.
“Due to the high proportion of positive case results received so far, we are liaising with the Joint Biosecurity Centre and have stepped up contact tracing and leafletting in the Watton area, urging people with symptoms to access testing.”
Cranswick spokesperson confirm that a number of workers at the plant had positive for COVID-19. “They were tested in line with the advice given to us by PHE, are all asymptomatic and currently self-isolating. Testing of colleagues at the site is ongoing.
“We are continuing to work co-operatively with PHE, HSE, DEFRA and Norfolk County Council, but envisage there will be disruption to the full operation of the plant in the short term.”