A COVID outbreak is being managed at a Wellesbourne distribution centre is being managed by county council public health officers.
The management of Amethyst Group are working closely with the Warwickshire County Council team and Public Health England (PHE) Midlands, following 39 confirmed cases of centre staff.
PHE consultant Dr Mamoona Tahir said: “The management at Amethyst Group are cooperating fully with public health professionals to protect the health and wellbeing of their workforce and wider public health. The individuals who have tested positive for covid-19 are all isolating for at least 10 days, with their household members and other close contacts advised to self-isolate for 14 days – as per national guidance.
“Despite measures being put in place by the company to promote a covid-secure working environment, a small number of cases were confirmed early in November. As a precaution, public health professions worked with the company to arrange testing for the whole workforce, which has resulted in an increased number of asymptomatic cases being discovered over the last week.”
He added PHE continued to give management advice and support on control measures, including wider use of PPE, dividing screens, and division of workforce into bubbles.
Sales Director for Amethyst Group Allan Fosbrook responded to the outbreak: “We take the health and wellbeing of our staff extremely seriously. We have put in place extensive measures within our distribution centres to manage the risk of coronavirus. Since the initial cases have been identified we have worked together with Warwickshire County Council and Public Health England to roll out testing across our whole Wellesbourne workforce, to strengthen the prevention measures in place and to mitigate the impact on our customers, who I’m sure will understand the importance of controlling the spread of this virus. With the steps taken we are able to resume Covid secure operations.”
