Coronavirus outbreak at Tesco store as number of staff test positive for disease

A Tesco has been hit by an outbreak of coronavirus at a branch in Wiltshire.

The chain has confirmed that the affected staff at its Extra store in Swindon are now self-isolating.

The town in the South West was recently placed on a government watchlist after a surge in Covid-19 infections.

Local distribution centres for both Iceland and Royal Mail have reported outbreaks in recent weeks.

A spokesperson for Tesco said: “We have introduced extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone safe, including protective screens at every checkout, social distancing signage and regular deep cleaning.”

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Swindon was added to the coronavirus surveillance report on August 7, published by Public Health England.

The list covers places where extra measures such as local lockdowns or increased testing may be introduced.

The store affected employs hundreds of people and delivers to residents.

The exact number of workers who tested positive is unknown.

It comes as authorities in the West Midlands issued an urgent appeal for 70 punters to self-isolate.

The Soho Foundry Tavern in Smethwick, West Mids, reported a coronavirus outbreak linked to the Black Country boozer and made the decision to shut on Thursday.

Three people who were there, including staff, have since tested positive, the local authority has confirmed.

Sandwell Council and Public Health England bosses are asking the 70 people who attended the event at the pub last Sunday (August 2) to self-isolate.