Up to 200 workers have been told to self-isolate on the farm where they pick crops after 73 colleagues tested positive for Covid-19.
Vegetable producers A S Green and Co, in Herefordshire, has gone into lockdown after the positive tests.
Food and other essential supplies are being delivered to the farm, where the workers have been segregated into the mobile homes they live in.
The firm is also being supported by Public Health England (PHE).
Herefordshire Council, which has organised the supply of deliveries, believes the outbreak is "contained" on the farm.
Farm 'an extended bubble'
The workers carry out picking and packing work during the harvesting season on the farm, just west of Malvern, in Worcestershire.
The company said the welfare of its staff was its "priority" and further testing of management and visitors to the farm had so far produced negative test results.
As a precaution, the workers are being treated as "one extended bubble" and were staying within household groups on the farm, the council said.
In a statement on its website, A S Green and Co said: "Public Health England advises that it is very unlikely Covid-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging, so shoppers can remain confident buying British fruit and veg."
From 29 June to 5 July, Herefordshire had an average rate of two new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, figures from Public Health England show. This compares with Leicester, which had 116 cases per 100,000.
Katie Spence, PHE Midlands health protection director, said the company had implemented a range of infection control measures, including on-site testing, social distancing in communal areas and the indoor packaging area.
'Prompt testing'
Workers were also being encouraged to wash their hands regularly and use face coverings in closed areas.
"Despite these measures, a small number of workers became symptomatic earlier this week and they and a few close contacts among the workforce were tested initially and found to be positive," she said.
Karen Wright, director of public health for Herefordshire, said: "Prompt testing on the farm has allowed us to understand transmission and control the spread of infection.
"We continue to support the farm management, their workers, who form an important part of our local economy, and the local community through this challenging time."
You may also be interested in:
The site is currently closed to visitors.
Overall, the Herefordshire council area has recorded 749 cases during lockdown, as of 7 July.
Speaking to BBC Midlands Today, council leader David Hitchiner said: "I would say we've got it contained, these people are not people who travel around the community, they tend to stay where they are.
"I don't physically know the site but I would hope it is quite isolated and so it shouldn't spread out among the community.
"The owners are keeping the workers there on the site and doing their very best to make sure it can't spread any further off this farm."
He added that expected PHE are now trying to trace the original source of the outbreak.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiQWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLWVuZ2xhbmQtaGVyZWZvcmQtd29yY2VzdGVyLTUzMzgxODAy0gFFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLWVuZ2xhbmQtaGVyZWZvcmQtd29yY2VzdGVyLTUzMzgxODAy?oc=5
2020-07-12 14:33:58Z
52780916778099
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar