Two employees of a poultry factory in Lisnaskea have tested positive for Covid-19.

Western Brand confirmed that one production operative and one adminstrative staff member tested positive after displaying coronavirus symptoms over the weekend.

Both staff members were last at work on Friday 11 September however one felt unwell on Sunday and contacted the factory on the Monday who advised them to stay at home and arrange a test.

The test was carried out on Tuesday and returned a positive result on Wednesday. Two team members were deemed as close contacts and instructed to quarantine for 14 days.  

The other employee was booked off on annual leave this week but had experienced loss of taste and arranged for testing, informed Western Brand of their positive result immediately.

A staff list was generated of people present in the working area.  The team was gathered and informed of the positive case.  The attached statement was also read to all other supervisors who informed their teams.  The statement was also sent along with weekly pay slips.

The statement read: "We have been informed two of our staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.

"In line with government guidelines our team members are self-isolating.

"We do not believe there is a significant risk to the general staff population however as a precautionary measure we are asking certain staff members that are deemed close contacts to get tested.

"All staff are reminded to continue to socially distance, practice good hand hygiene, non-essential travel is not recommended and if in doubt contact HR.

"We wish our fellow colleagues a safe and speedy recovery."

The company said production staff in this area wear double PPE i.e. visors and snoods, social distancing is practiced.  All production areas undergo a systematic clean down nightly by trained hygiene team i.e. gross cleaned, foamed, rinsed & sanitised.  Production areas are fogged at weekends with deeper cleans also conducted by contract cleaners over weekend.

Western Brand added that based on controls applied and on the advice of HSE  no other staff members have been instructed to quarantine at this point in time.