The number of staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 at a Newark dessert factory has risen to 72, Nottinghamshire County Council said.
It was announced on August 7 that all staff would be tested after 39 coronavirus cases among workers at the Bakkavor site.
The council said 701 workers had now been tested and 33 more cases had taken the total to 72, although 33 “fully fit and healthy” staff had returned to work after isolating.
Testing will continue until Wednesday to enable all 1,600 employees to be included.
Jonathan Gribbin, director of public health at the county council, said: “Bakkavor have been very co-operative and we hope that the testing of their employees will allow us to find out more about where people are acquiring the infection.
“However, we know that not all the cases in Newark are linked to Bakkavor so it is vital that people continue to follow the strict guidance to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 across the whole community.
“People should follow social distancing guidance in full, including guidelines about car sharing, washing hands regularly, wearing face coverings, self-isolating and quickly getting a test if symptoms develop.”
Shona Taylor, business director for desserts at Bakkavor, said: “We understand the importance of the testing and I have been immensely proud of the management team and all the efforts that have been made to ensure we could deliver this for our colleagues.
“The programme has been positively received, and colleagues have been supportive and reassured that every effort is being taken to ensure their safety.”
