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| Coronavirus: Mathon farm workers isolating after 73 cases | Coronavirus: Mathon farm workers isolating after 73 cases |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| About 200 key workers on a farm are isolating after 73 people tested positive for Covid-19. | About 200 key workers on a farm are isolating after 73 people tested positive for Covid-19. |
| The cases have been found among the workforce of vegetable producers A S Green and Co, based in Mathon in Herefordshire. | The cases have been found among the workforce of vegetable producers A S 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 for them. | Workers are being asked to remain on the farm during a period of isolation, while Herefordshire Council arranges food and essential supplies for them. |
| The firm is also being supported by Public Health England (PHE). | The firm is also being supported by Public Health England (PHE). |
| Farm 'an extended bubble' | |
| Workers, who carry out picking and packing work during the harvesting season, live in mobile homes on the farm, near Malvern, in Worcestershire. | Workers, who carry out picking and packing work during the harvesting season, live in mobile homes on the farm, near Malvern, in Worcestershire. |
| The company said the welfare of its staff was its "priority" and further testing of management and visitors to the farm had so far produced negative test results. | The company said the welfare of its staff was its "priority" and further testing of management and visitors to the farm had so far produced negative test results. |
| From 29 June to 5 July, Herefordshire had an average rate of two new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, figures from Public Health England show. This compares with Leicester, which had 116 cases per 100,000. | From 29 June to 5 July, Herefordshire had an average rate of two new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, figures from Public Health England show. This compares with Leicester, which had 116 cases per 100,000. |
| As a precaution, workers at AS Green and Co were being treated as "one extended bubble" and were staying within household groups on the farm, the council said. | As a precaution, workers at AS Green and Co were being treated as "one extended bubble" and were staying within household groups on the farm, the council said. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 'Prompt testing' | 'Prompt testing' |
| Workers were also being encouraged to wash their hands regularly and use face coverings in closed areas. | Workers were also being encouraged to wash their hands regularly and use 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. | 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." | "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." |
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| 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." |
| In a statement on its website, the company said: "Public Health England advises that it is very unlikely Covid-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging, so shoppers can remain confident buying British fruit and veg." | In a statement on its website, the company said: "Public Health England advises that it is very unlikely Covid-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging, so shoppers can remain confident buying British fruit and veg." |
| The site is currently closed to visitors. | The site is currently closed to visitors. |
| Overall, the Herefordshire council area has recorded 749 cases during lockdown, as of 7 July. | Overall, the Herefordshire council area has recorded 749 cases during lockdown, as of 7 July. |
| What do I need to know about the coronavirus? | |
| 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 |