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The number of coronavirus cases linked to the 2 Sisters chicken factory has risen again.
On Tuesday Public Health Wales (PHW) announced 25 new cases of Covid-19 linked to the outbreak at the plant on Anglesey.
Officials said the total cases in the outbreak at the Llangefni based site now stands at 200.
Hundreds of staff have been tested
(Image: Google)
It comes after a third outbreak linked to a meat processing plant in Wales was revealed earlier on Tuesday by health minister Vaughan Gething.
Speaking at today’s Welsh Government coronavirus briefing, he said a “small cluster” was being investigated at the Kepak plant in Merthyr Tydfil.
PHW said the increase “follows a rapid screening exercise over the weekend which is continuing through this week”, in which they have carried out 450 tests so far.
Dr Graham Brown, consultant in communicable disease control at Public Health Wales said: “I would like to thank the workforce and wider community for their swift co-operation with this test and trace process. This rapid response is providing vital information to help minimise the further spread of COVID-19 locally.
“We have recorded an increase of 25 confirmed positive cases of coronavirus, bringing the total cases in the outbreak to 200.
“Since we commenced targeted testing last Thursday, over 400 members of staff have provided samples.”
He added: “The deployment of rapid test and trace facilities has helped identify this situation, and we will continue to keep control measures in place to bring the outbreak to a rapid conclusion.
“Incidents like this are a reminder that coronavirus is still circulating, sometimes invisibly, and that we all need to be vigilant.
“We all have a part to play in preventing the spread of coronavirus by sticking to social distancing guidelines – that’s staying two metres away from others – and washing hands regularly.
“Employees who test positive are being contacted through the Test, Trace and Protect process and provided with additional advice for themselves, household and other contacts.
“I wish to remind everyone that if you or a member of your household develop symptoms of cough, fever or change in sense of taste or smell, you must book a test for COVID-19 you should do so promptly to help control the spread of infection.”
Public Health Wales said the increase in the number of positive cases is expected when a focused track and trace programme is implemented and does not mean that the spread of infection is increasing.
Employees and contractors from the processing plant continue to be asked to self-isolate for 14 days to help limit the further spread of the virus, they said.
Earlier today, it was confirmed that there had been 70 positive coronavirus cases at a separate food production site.
The cases were linked to Rowan Foods in Wrexham.
Welsh Health Secretary Vaughan Gething insisted that there is “no evidence of wider community transmission beyond these plants”, and said discussions with both factories, unions, as well as Anglesey and Wrexham councils were ongoing.
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