Meat processing plant closed after COVID-19 outbreak

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported at a meat processing factory in Cleckheaton, which is a supplier to Asda supermarket stores.

The Kober plant outbreak was first mentioned by the Government’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock at the latest daily Coronavirus briefing, late yesterday afternoon.

Asda yesterday responded that it would be temporarily closing the processing plant.

In a statement, it explained: “As soon as we became aware that some colleagues at our Kober site may have COVID-19, we responded swiftly and worked collaboratively with the local authority and Public Health England to test all colleagues.

“We have also voluntarily closed the site to protect colleagues and prevent any further transmission.

“Colleagues who need to self-isolate will receive full pay and we aim to reopen the facility early next week.”

In a message posted on Twitter, Kirklees Council’s public health director, Rachel Spencer-Henshall, said there had been a number of positive cases of the virus at a local workplace.

She said the authority had provided support to managers and employees to reduce the risk of further transmission, and had also offered testing to workers.

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