Almost 100 COVID-19 cases confirmed at Norfolk chicken factory
There are more results expected soon
Last updated 12th Jan 2022
Nearly 100 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed at a chicken factory in Norfolk.
Testings has been expanded at Panham Poultry in Attleborough, which has now identified a total of 96 positive results.
The building has been deep cleaned and new workers are being brought in to ensure production continues as normal, while those affected self-isolate with their families.
There have been 96 positive tests so far out of 477 tests carried out, with more results to follow
Norfolk County Council’s director of public health, Dr Louise Smith, said:
"Following the Covid 19 outbreak in the cutting room at Banham Poultry, we announced last Friday that we were expanding testing to staff working across the rest of the site.
"Those tests have identified further positive cases. As a response, Banham Poultry will ask affected staff to self-isolate for 14 days.
"Staff and their households, including children, must self-isolate for 14 days, if they have not tested positive or not been tested. Staff must isolate for 10 days if they have had a positive test result, and their households, including children, need to isolate for 14 days. Anyone who has not been tested is urged to apply for a test and more mobile units are being brought in to support this.
"As the relevant regulatory agencies have confirmed the building has been deep cleaned, the company is bringing in a new group of 45 people to continue to staff the slaughterhouse. This will ensure that the euthanasing of birds can continue, in accordance with the usual regulations.
"We appreciate this is a difficult situation for the company and its staff but we must take this action, to curb the spread of Covid 19 across the county."
County council leader, Councillor Andrew Proctor, said:
"We are working with Banham Poultry, George Freeman MP and the Local Enterprise Partnership, to urge the Government to support the company at this difficult time.
"We’re also working with district councils and voluntary groups to support the staff who are isolating."