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| Coronavirus: Mathon key workers isolating after 73 Covid-19 cases | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| About 200 farm workers are isolating after 73 people tested positive for Covid-19. | About 200 farm workers are isolating after 73 people tested positive for Covid-19. |
| The cases have been found among the workforce of vegetable producers AS Green and Co, based in Mathon in Herefordshire. | The cases have been found among the workforce of vegetable producers AS Green and Co, based in Mathon in Herefordshire. |
| Workers are being asked to remain on the farm during a period of isolation, while Herefordshire Council arranges food and essential supplies. | Workers are being asked to remain on the farm during a period of isolation, while Herefordshire Council arranges food and essential supplies. |
| The firm is also being supported by Public Health England (PHE). | The firm is also being supported by Public Health England (PHE). |
| It said its staff were its "priority". | It said its staff were its "priority". |
| The workers, who carry out picking and packing work during the harvesting season, live in mobile homes on the farm, near Malvern, in Worcestershire. | The workers, who carry out picking and packing work during the harvesting season, live in mobile homes on the farm, near Malvern, in Worcestershire. |
| 'Prompt testing' | 'Prompt testing' |
| As a precaution, the council said, they were being treated as "one extended bubble" and were staying within household groups on the farm. | As a precaution, the council said, they were being treated as "one extended bubble" and were staying within household groups on the farm. |
| Katie Spence, PHE Midlands health protection director, said the company had implemented a range of infection control measures, including on-site testing, social distancing in communal areas and the indoor packaging area, encouraging regular hand washing and promoting the use of face coverings in closed areas. | |
| "Despite these measures, a small number of workers became symptomatic earlier this week and they and a few close contacts among the workforce were tested initially and found to be positive," she said. | "Despite these measures, a small number of workers became symptomatic earlier this week and they and a few close contacts among the workforce were tested initially and found to be positive," she said. |
| Karen Wright, director of public health for Herefordshire, said: "Prompt testing on the farm has allowed us to understand transmission and control the spread of infection. | |
| "We continue to support the farm management, their workers, who form an important part of our local economy, and the local community through this challenging time." | |
| A spokesperson for AS Green added: "Our staff are our priority, they are hard-working key workers helping us provide food for the country during these unusual times." | A spokesperson for AS Green added: "Our staff are our priority, they are hard-working key workers helping us provide food for the country during these unusual times." |
| From 29 June to 5 July, Herefordshire had a rate of two new cases per 100,000 people, figures from Public Health England show. This compares with Leicester which had 116 cases per 100,000. | |
| Overall, the Herefordshire council area had seen 749 cases as of 7 July. | |
| Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk |