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There is growing concern about the spread of Covid-19 in meat processing facilities.
SIPTU, which represents industry workers, says it is concerned that the industry may face similar problems on the scale of nursing homes.
The union says more measures are needed to stem the spread of the virus.
RTÉ News learned that a pork processing plant at Edenderry in Co Offaly has confirmed nearly 60 cases of Covid-19 so far this week, after all staff at about 600.
Rosderra Meats, who also had more than 120 confirmed cases at another facility in Co Tipperary, insists that strict protocols exist to slow the spread of the virus.
Separately, another processing plant in Co Roscommon has written to staff asking them to keep social distance outside of work.
Kepak’s management letter states that local Gardaí informed the company that a “small number” of Kepak employees were not adhering to government guidelines on social distancing.
The letter says: “This is very disappointing and failure to comply with the coronavirus rules will lead to an unnecessary spread of the virus among your family, friends and the community.”
Local TD Denis Naughten said the inability to tackle the spread of the virus in meat processing plants could lead to what he called “a second generation of Covid-19 infections in communities where there has been a low level of infection until the date”.
The Independent TD said the impact of a delayed reaction in nursing homes was already evident and “unless HSE acts quickly, we could have a similar history at meat processing facilities across the country.”
There are now more than 600 confirmed cases of Covid-19 among meat industry workers in Ireland.
In Northern Ireland, a worker at the Moy Park poultry plant in Dungannon died after she contracted the virus.
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