Tulips meat factory workers test Covid-19 positive in Tipton

UK-based food producing company Tulip has reportedly suspended production at its meat processing plant in Tipton, West Midlands, after some of its staff members were tested positive for Covid-19.

BBC reported that ten people have been tested positive for the virus at the company’s facility in George Henry Road.

In a statement to BBC, Tulip said: “We are working with Public Health England Midlands to arrange swab testing for a sample group in one particular area of production before deciding upon the need for any further screening.

“As soon as we receive test results, we will liaise with health partners to assess whether further actions are necessary.”

Additionally, Health chiefs at Sandwell Council explained that a group from the company’s workforce are now being tested.

Dr Lisa McNally from the council added that the company is ‘co-operating fully’ with public health professionals.

Public Health England (PHE) Midlands Communicable Disease Control consultant Dr James Chipwete said: “The management at Tulip are cooperating fully with public health professionals and members of the HSE, to protect the health and wellbeing of their workforce.

“We are dealing with a large workforce of almost 600 people, and despite putting a range of infection control measures in place to protect staff from potential exposure to Covid-19, there have been a number of cases among workers.”

Last week, another UK-based food manufacturer, 2 Sisters Food Group decided to temporarily suspend production activities at its Llangefni site as Covid-19 cases were confirmed at the facility.

The company suspended the production for 14 days with immediate effect.

In March, Tulip unveiled its plans to stop operations at its Tipton plant, which will impact 642 jobs.

The company said that it will begin a consultation process with employee representatives about the future of the plant.