Almost 60 Covid-19 cases at the Co Offaly meat plant

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There is growing concern about the spread of Covid-19 in meat processing facilities.

SIPTU, which represents industry workers, said it was concerned that the industry could face similar problems on a scale to nursing homes.

The union said more measures were 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.

In a statement, Rosderra Irish Meats Group said it continued to work closely with HSE, the Department of Agriculture and occupational health professionals to implement important Covid-19 control measures and protocols.

“The safety and well-being of our employees is of utmost importance to Rosderra Irish Meats and we remain extremely vigilant with our infection control protective measures, including supervised distancing, mandatory face covers for all employees at all sites, temperature control and a phased approach to breaks and start times to reduce the possibility of meetings, “the company said.

“Since the week beginning March 16, we have instituted a temperature test that included completing a symptom interview questionnaire for all essential staff and visitors entering our sites.”

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.”

Independent TD Denis Naughten said failure to address 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 to date there has been a low level of infection”.

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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