Second covid outbreak at 2 Sisters plant in Perthshire rises to 30 cases

30 cases of coronavirus are being linked to a Perthshire food factory which was at the centre of a major outbreak last year.

Over 150 employees tested positive at the 2 Sisters site in Coupar Angus, with more than a dozen community contacts identified by health officials.

NHS Tayside's confirmed it's keeping a close eye on the new cases, but says the plant will remain open.

Director of Public Health, Dr Emma Fletcher, said “Thirty cases of COVID-19 connected to the 2 Sisters food processing plant have now been identified.

“The factory is working closely with NHS Tayside’s Public Health team and Food Standards Scotland and all arrangements for contact tracing and self-isolation are in place. Staff are being given appropriate advice and additional support from their relevant Local Authority if needed.

“The multi-agency Incident Management Team (IMT) continues to keep the situation under close review and the factory remains open.

“A further update will be provided on Monday, 11 January when the IMT meets again.”

MP for Perth and North Perthshire, Pete Wishart said: " I think this is an alarming development at 2 Sisters once again. We already had an outbreak last year and I think it caused quite great concern.

"There seems to be particular issue around meat processing plants, such as the 2 Sisters plant in Coupar Angus.

"This isn't the only place this has happened in the United Kingdom, and I think they are a particular hotspot.

"It does surprise me somewhat given the number of cases we're hearing just now, in the region of 30 cases.

"Last time around there was only four cases that had come forward when they closed the factory."

The 2 Sisters Food Group declined our request for comment.

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