Cases linked to Covid-hit chicken factory rise to 152

There are now 152 cases of coronavirus linked to an outbreak at a chicken factory.

A total of 134 workers at the 2 Sisters processing plant in Coupar Angus have tested positive for the virus, as well as 18 community contacts.

The factory suspended operations last Monday, with all workers and their households since being told to self-isolate until the end of the month.

Dr Emma Fletcher, associate director of public health at NHS Tayside, said: “Today’s increase in positive cases was anticipated by the team managing the outbreak as the high volume of contact tracing, which was under way over the weekend, has now been largely complete.

“We are seeing fewer, new cases today for follow-up, however detailed contact tracing continues and we remain in a high state of vigilance across Tayside.

“At the mobile testing units sited across Tayside over the past week, nearly 3500 tests have been completed. At the two units in Coupar Angus and Dundee which were set up for workers from the 2 Sisters factory, more than 1000 tests have been carried out.

“All workers and their household contacts, including children, should continue to self-isolate until 31 August and I want to make sure everyone is clear that this is even if they have a negative result.”

The situation has led to a pause in the return of indoor visiting in care homes across Tayside, which some homes had hoped to re-start on Monday.

Dr Fletcher added: “This was a very difficult decision for the Incident Management Team (IMT) and we know that this will be very disappointing for care home residents and their loved ones, however, we must ensure that we do everything we can to protect care home residents, staff and their families.

“The IMT is keeping this matter under close review and it will reinstate care home visiting across Tayside as soon as we are satisfied it is safe to do so.”