Leisure centre in Tendring closed after staff member tests positive for coronavirus
Tendring District Council says a deep clean is now underway.
Last updated 8th Oct 2020
The Walton-on-the-Naze Lifestyles leisure centre has been temporarily closed after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
Tendring District Council (TDC) says Public Health England and the authority's Environment Health team have been notified.
It's currently undergoing a deep clean while other staff self-isolate.
In a statement, TDC said: "Over the next few days we will endeavour to contact customers who have been at the centre at the same period of time as the staff member, though there is no suggestion they will have been in close contact.
"They do not need to self-isolate unless they are displaying Covid-19 symptoms (a high temperature, new persistent cough, loss of taste or smell) or are contacted by a Track and Trace team and told to do so. A test should only be booked if displaying symptoms.
"All Covid-secure guidelines are in place both at the leisure centre which will ensure there is minimal risk to others as a result of this. This includes our track and trace data collection system – including booked sessions and the Covid-19 NHS App check-in – regular cleaning, staff protocols such as frequent hand washing and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)."
The authority has praised the affected staff member for taking "swift" action to self-isolate and get a test, but said there is no indication to say they contracted coronavirus at work.
Any information on the reopening of the leisure centre is expected to be announced in the coming days.