A total of 24 staff members at a technology firm supplying vital machine parts which help hospitals fight Covid-19 are self-isolating after contracting the virus.
Houghton-based Connor Solutions Ltd saw a huge surge in orders during the pandemic, to produce electronic parts used in the likes of ventilators, respirators, and infusion pumps, used by the NHS and hospitals worldwide. In April, ChronicleLive reported that more than 200 staff at the firm were involved in producing parts for the essential equipment.
The business was praised by Sunderland City Council leader Graeme Miller for "undertaking a vital role in supporting hospitals around the world".
Confirming the coronavirus cases at the factory on Wednesday, chief executive Dermot Guerin said production output had been hit by 10%, though work was continuing.
None of the staff were seriously ill, he said, and the business was being "proactive" in protecting workers.
Cases had increased as a result of Christmas mixing, as well as the new, more transmissible strain of Covid-19, he said.
Mr Guerin said: “We have 24 staff off work with Covid who work across different departments.
"The vast majority are from production [and] they are all isolating. The first case was just after Christmas on January 8.
"It will impact production this month but the vast majority of people will be back next week and we have been in touch with customers.
"The most important thing is that of the 24 people affected, none have had serious symptoms.”
