Cranswick Country Food’s meat processing plant in Watton, Norfolk has confirmed 144 workers have tested positive for coronavirus.
Norfolk County Council confirmed that 144 cases were confirmed from 333 tests and, as a result, all 1,000 members of staff will be tested.
The authority said it is working with Public Health England to control the outbreak.
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.
“We will continue to keep you updated as and when we receive more information.”
Meat Management has contacted Cranswick Country Foods for comment.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
