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Coronavirus: Mathon farm workers traced after fleeing Coronavirus: Herefordshire farm cases rise to 93
(about 4 hours later)
Three people who left a coronvirus-hit farm have now been traced, a council has said. A further 19 workers have tested positive for coronavirus on a farm which went into lockdown.
Vegetable producers A S Green and Co in Mathon, Herefordshire, went into lockdown after tests showed 74 people had tested positive for Covid-19. Vegetable producers A S Green and Co in Herefordshire ordered crop-pickers to self-isolate after 74 tested positive.
Of the three workers who left against advice, one had tested positive. They are all now self-isolating. Herefordshire Council and Public Health England (PHE) said the number of cases had now risen to 93.
On Monday, Public Health Midlands said it was working with West Mercia Police to trace the workers. Two groups of workers who arrived in the UK via bus and plane - including some who worked at A S Green - are being traced as a precaution.
A joint statement released on Wednesday from Herefordshire Council and Public Health Midlands said: "Three workers (one of whom tested positive) left the farm despite being asked to remain on site and isolate. In a joint statement, the council and PHE said those who tested positive were not showing symptoms when they travelled to the UK.
"All three of these individuals have been reached through the agency that secured their employment, and all have confirmed they are self-isolating." 'Risk remains low'
About 200 workers are said to be in quarantine at the site's live in accommodation. The farm employs a mix of seasonal workers from the UK and abroad. They have begun contact tracing with a group of workers who travelled into the UK by private coach, including some who went on to work at A S Green and Co.
Karen Wright, director of Public Health Midlands for Herefordshire, added: "We continue to support the farm to advise their workers to remain on site during the period of isolation and stay within household groups, to reduce risk of spread within the workforce and into the wider community." Authorities in Scotland have been notified about a group of 63 workers on the same flight who travelled to Scottish farms, the statement said.
Local residents had expressed concerns about shopping trips made by the farm workers prior to positive cases being identified. But Ms Wright said the risk to the general public remains low. No cases have been identified among a further 76 workers on the flight who went on to other farms in England.
Three workers, including one who had tested positive for Covid-19, have been traced after they left the site against health officials' advice.
All are said to be self-isolating.
On Wednesday, Herefordshire Council said a fourth worker who tested negative for the virus had also left the site. They are also said to be self-isolating.
About 200 workers are in quarantine at the site's live-in accommodation, and others are being tested, the council said.
Karen Wright, Director of Public Health for Herefordshire, said: "We continue to test workers at the farm and expect to see the number of cases rise over the coming days before social distancing and infection prevention measures start to take effect.
"We're aware that local residents are concerned, but the risk to the general public remains low."
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