Norwich company temporarily closes after Covid outbreak
They'll be closed for 10 days
A Norwich technology company has voluntarily closed for 10 days today (4 February)in order to protect its staff and local communities following an outbreak of Covid-19.
A total of 190 staff have now tested positive within the last 28 days at Ingram Micro Services, which specialises in mobile phone and computer logistics, contact centre services and repair and refurbishment. The company has 795 workers, at its two facilities on an industrial estate in Vulcan Road North, Norwich.
Since Monday (1 February), staff have been offered testing onsite arranged by Norfolk County Council's Public Health team.
Norfolk's Local Outbreak Control service is working with colleagues from Norwich City Council and Public Health England and the management team at Ingram Micro to manage the outbreak.
Norfolk's Director of Public Health Dr Louise Smith said:
"As people will be aware, infection levels of Covid-19 are very high across the whole country at this time.
"I very much welcome Ingram Micro's positive approach to working closely with us to instigate testing on their site this week and now to take this swift and decisive action to control this outbreak.
"It's vital that we act swiftly to break the chain of transmission and prevent any further spread amongst this workforce or more widely into the community.
"All those who have already tested positive are now isolating and all the rest of the staff will now also be asked to isolate for 10 days."
Kevin Coleman, Vice President, Technology EMEA - Ingram Micro Services said:
"The safety and well-being of our colleagues is our number one priority and has been at the forefront of our Covid response since the start of the outbreak.
"Ingram Micro has invested heavily in preventative measures and risk mitigation initiatives with our Norwich site being part of a program driven globally across all sites in the company to manage our response to the Covid pandemic.
"This includes a broad range of safety measures being put in place in March last year, including all Government recommended Covid safety regimes as well as significant investments in building and infrastructure to mitigate risk.
"We have also made numerous changes to the working practices, including masks, temperature screening, one-way systems, changes to layout and the addition of significant extra space for staff facilities to enhance social distancing - all of which have been in place for many months and remain under constant review as Government health advice is updated.
"The welfare of our team members is our primary concern which is why we have taken the steps we have taken. We remain in regular contact with all those affected and will continue to provide support as needed."
Rebecca Hams, Public Health England Consultant in Health Protection said:
"In order to prevent further spread of COVID-19, protect staff at the site and break the cycle of transmission, Public Health England and Norfolk County Council advised Ingram Micro to close their site in Norwich for 10 days. This will allow staff to self-isolate, get tested and for the company to review and implement further public health measures to help protect the workforce. All organisations are working together to achieve a common goal - prevention and protection against this virus."
Steve Morphew, Norfolk County Councillor for the local Catton Grove division said:
"This is one of those moments we pull together and hold the line so the experts can get on and do their jobs.
"The infection control team and public health are excellent at dealing with this sort of outbreak. I'm pleased the company is working with them and it's right the premises should close to help keep everybody safe.
"There is help available for those self isolating and anybody else who is affected. Nobody should be shy of asking for help or think of cutting corners."
Norfolk County Council's Community Resilience team and Norwich City Council are working to support all staff to isolate. Ingram Micro workers will be provided with information about the support offers available to them at this time. Support available includes: access to food and essential supplies; access to medications and prescriptions; emergency financial support; other support for those with no family or friends nearby to help.
All workers at Ingram Micro who have not been tested in the last 90 days are being advised to arrange a test whether or not they have symptoms.
The advice to people concerned about contracting the virus is to remember the basics: minimise contact outside your household according to the current Government lockdown regulations; continue to wash your hands regularly; and practise social distancing.
If you feel unwell, even if your symptoms are mild, you should isolate with your household and get a test.
Tests can be booked by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk.
Anyone requiring support to isolate can contact Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) on 01603 223392. Further information about NAS can be found online at www.norfolk.gov.uk/coronavirus in the get support section.