Positive Covid tests at bakery depot
Bakery behemoth, Greggs has confirmed a coronavirus outbreak at its bakery distribution centre, resulting in it being shut down and deep cleaned
Although no figures have been made available about the number of positive tests at the Bramley site, Public Health England said it was less than 20.
Roger Whiteside, chief executive of the bakery chain has confirmed the firm is working with Leeds City Council and Public Health Englan to “minimise any possible impact on our customers and the wider community in Leeds and the surrounding area.”
Adding that the business took “immediate action to implement our Covid response plan” when a number of staff tested positive for the virus.
Leeds City Council’s deputy director of Public Health Lucy Jackson said: “A number of staff recently tested positive for Covid-19 at Greggs’ distribution depot in Leeds.
“Following further testing, more staff have been identified as being positive. This highlights why further testing and contact tracing is so important which Greggs is proactively undertaking.
Jackson added that the council was “working closely with Greggs and Public Health England to make sure any infection is contained”, and that the site was being “being deep cleaned”.
“We are satisfied the necessary steps are being taken quickly to minimise any further spread of infection.”
Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves confirmed the site had been closed saying, “I have just come off an urgent call with the leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake, the Armley and Bramley Ward Councillors, Public Health and representatives from the Council as there has been an outbreak of Covid-19 related to the Greggs Distribution Centre in Bramley.
“The premises have now closed and will be deep-cleaned up to a Covid-19 safe standard and will then be inspected by Infection Control and Environmental Health.”
Adding, “I am awaiting clarification from Leeds City Council and Greggs that workers who are now self-isolating will receive full pay from Greggs.”
The MP also thanked Leeds City Council for its swift response and said she was working closely with and receiving regular updates from it.
This is the latest Covid-19 outbreak at a food manufacturing site, with Wensleydale Creamery reporting an outbreak last week and similar cases being reported across the country including at the Greencore sandwich factory in Northampton where almost 300 people tested positive for the virus.
