Coronavirus outbreaks at Iceland, Royal Mail and Honda all in the same region

Four coronavirus outbreaks have taken place at Honda, Royal Mail, Iceland and a fire station in Swindon.

Some 51 employees at an Iceland food distribution centre in Swindon have tested positive for Covid-19.

Workers at the facility are being offered on-site testing in a bid to contain the virus.

Three crew members at the town’s fire station have also been diagnosed with the disease.

Swindon health chiefs said the ‘small outbreaks’ are expected due to the easing of lockdown restrictions, Gloucestershire Live reports.

Swindon Borough Council says it is working with Public Health England South West and local employers to support staff working in the town, following the cases in the workplace settings.

The Council and PHE are working closely with Honda, Royal Mail and XPO Logistics (working for Iceland), as well as Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Three firefighters have tested positive for coronavirus.

Dorset and Wiltshire Assistant Chief Fire Officer James Mahoney said: “In line with public health guidance, all staff who have been in close contact with the those who have tested positive have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

“The service has invoked its business continuity arrangements to ensure that the outbreak is contained and managed.

“We have established processes to ensure that our emergency response is maintained at Swindon fire station and elsewhere, and anyone needing the help of the fire and rescue service should be assured that we will still respond to 999 calls with the required resources.”

The fire officer added that he wanted to reassure people that the service has had stringent precautionary measures in place since the start of the pandemic.

These were designed to protect employees and the public during incidents – and saw staff wearing PPE at all times.

Other coronavirus cases have been reported at Royal Mail’s delivery office in Swindon and at the town’s Honda plant.

Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health for Swindon, said: “Small outbreaks are expected as a result of relaxing lockdown arrangements and as people return to work.

“We have developed a local outbreak management plan to supplement and support the national test and trace service, and to ensure that Swindon can respond swiftly to help manage a local outbreak or hotspot.

“The council is currently responding to a small number of COVID-19 cases, and these people are isolating in accordance with the government’s self-isolation guidance.

“All workplaces remain open and are following the existing cleaning guidance for non-clinical settings advice, including continuing to provide staff with guidance on social distancing and hygiene to limit spread.”

Mike Wade, Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health England South West, said: “PHE South West is working closely with Swindon Borough Council and local employers to provide public health advice to stop the virus spreading.

“Everyone should be following social distancing advice, both in and out of work, to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Good hygiene is the best prevention and there are some simple steps you can take to protect you, your family and colleagues by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.”

On Wednesday it was announced that 30 employees at the Iceland depot in Swindon had tested positive for Covid-19.

But it was revealed this morning that the figure is now 51 after a further twenty one employees tested positive yesterday afternoon.

Food is handled at the XPO Logistics’ store in Penzance Drive, Swindon, for distribution to Iceland shops across the region.

A spokeswoman for XPO said “Protecting our employees is our number one priority. We’re working closely with the local authorities and adhering to all local and Public Health England guidance to ensure the appropriate health and safety measures are in place.”

As a precautionary measure, and to make sure the outbreak is contained, staff at the distribution centre will from this morning be offered the opportunity to be tested on-site to identify those who have COVID-19.

The Mobile Testing Unit will be in place from this morning and will remain there for four days, with attendants seeking to test as many staff members as possible.

A small number of positive COVID-19 cases have been identified and the site remains operational, with social distancing and infection control measures being reinforced on a daily basis.

People identified as close contacts of the cases are currently following advice and self-isolating at home.

Health professionals from Swindon Borough Council have visited the site this week and are confident that proper safety measures are in place to protect against the further spread of the virus.

Steve Maddern, Swindon Borough Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “The offer of testing to everybody who works on site is a precautionary measure, but it is important that we act to help stop the spread of the virus within our workplaces and the local community in Swindon.

“We are working closely with Public Health England and would like to thank XPO Logistics for their co-operation in this matter.

“It is important that everyone in Swindon remains vigilant and takes steps to help reduce the spread of the virus at work, at home and when socialising after work.”