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A meat processing plant in Co Wexford has confirmed 42 positive cases of Covid-19 after evaluation by staff.
Slaney Foods in Bunclody said tonight that it is operating at “significantly reduced capacity” as a result of the outbreak.
“In accordance with Covid-19 protocols, all close contacts of those affected are currently self-isolating,” the company told RTÉ News in a statement.
The cases were detected after tests carried out on staff last Friday.
The company said, “Personnel safety and public health is our priority and Slaney Foods will continue to work with HSE on the matter.”
Slaney Foods is a long-time beef processing operator and major employer in North Wexford.
Tonight he said that since the arrival of Covid-19 in this country, he has introduced “a range of industry-leading protection measures as part of an industry-wide initiative.”
These measures include limiting access to the site to essential personnel, temperature controls at the entrance to the site, staggered rest times, methacrylate partitions where appropriate, social distancing measures in dining rooms and all other common spaces, as well as detailed protocols for colleagues showing any symptoms.
“We are continually evolving and improving measures to ensure security at all of our sites.”
When asked if any of the cases were associated with travel, a spokesperson for ABP, co-owners of the Bunclody plant, said they do not comment on specific details, but added: “In accordance with national guidelines, we have implemented strict protocols for travel abroad for all staff regardless of nationality.
“Any staff member who has traveled abroad must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine before returning to work and during that time must undergo two Covid-19 PCR tests at appropriate intervals.”
Wexford yesterday had 86 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, the third highest number of cases of any county.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the outbreak at Slaney Foods should be investigated “as a matter of urgency.”
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