THE cluster of coronavirus cases at a Wrexham food plant has been declared an outbreak as 70 people have tested positive to date.

The 70 cases that have been confirmed are all related to the Rowan Foods Ltd plant in Wrexham, either staff or members of their households.

But Public Health Wales says evidence so far points to community transmission of the infection, rather than the factory, which remains in operation, being the source.

At the Welsh Government briefing today, Health Minister Vaughan Gething said Wales was now dealing with two outbreaks at meat processing plants in Wales, at Wrexham and Llangefni, as well as a small cluster of cases at a plant in Merthyr Tydfil.

"These outbreaks reinforce the need for all of us to take coronavirus seriously. It has not gone away. There is no room for complacency," said Mr Gething.

The Health Minister said there are daily outbreak control meetings in North Wales to manage both the Anglesey and Wrexham outbreaks.

He added that he met with unions representing the workforce at the two plants and agreed a set of wider actions, focusing on workforce wellbeing.

A meeting will be held later this week with the sector, unions and employers.

Mr Gething added that food producers have been "generally good" at complying with coronavirus-related workplace regulations, and there are very good examples of this around Wales.

"We also know in the meat processing sector, operating margins can be very tight, many people are employed on fairly low pay and levels of statutory sick pay mean many people feel they have no choice but to carry on working when they are ill," he added.

He said that coronavirus "thrives" in cold, damp and noisy environments where people are in close contact with each other - it survives too for longer indoors.

He stressed however that there is no evidence that coronavirus survives in food.
to date, more than 1,000 workers in the Wrexham area have been tested for the virus since Sunday, June 21.

Dr Graham Brown, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for Public Health Wales said: “The testing process is ongoing, and as expected, we have identified additional cases associated with workers from the Rowan Foods Ltd site.

“This does not mean that the company has been identified as the source of the infection, or that finding additional cases means the infection is increasing. However, we are identifying previously asymptomatic individuals that work for Rowan Foods Ltd with the infection.

“Our investigations are continuing, and I would like to thank the workforce and wider Wrexham community for their swift co-operation with this test and trace process. This rapid response is providing vital information to help minimise the further spread of COVID-19 in North Wales.”

The rapid test and tracing programme is being managed as part of a multi-agency response led by Public Health Wales with Wrexham County Borough Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the Health & Safety Executive, the Food Standards Agency, Welsh Government and Public Health England’s regional teams for the North West and West Midlands. Rowan Foods Ltd is cooperating fully with investigations.

Wrexham’s MS Lesley Griffiths said the outbreak was a matter of grave concern.

She said: “This is clearly a matter of grave concern and shows that although we may be over the peak of the pandemic, coronavirus has not gone away and people must continue to strictly observe the social distancing guidelines.

"A multi-agency team is taking this outbreak extremely seriously and I am in regular contact with the Health Minister, Public Health Wales and the Food Standards Agency.

"Around two thirds of staff at Rowan Foods have already been sampled via the Welsh Government’s Test, Trace & Protect strategy. The program is helping the authorities track the spread of the virus and implement measures to help reduce transmission.

"Testing will continue in the coming days and I know Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is being supported by other health boards across Wales to help them cope with the outbreaks, both in Wrexham and on Anglesey.”

The message from Wrexham Council is to reassure residents that everything is being done to minimise the spread of the virus and that everyone has a part to play.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety at Wrexham Council, said: "I can fully understand the concerns of the communities here in Wrexham and I would like to reassure everyone that we are working very closely with Public Health Wales, The Health and Safety Executive and partner agencies to take all the necessary measures to minimise the spread of the virus.

"Please follow all safety advice to stay 2 metres apart, only visit other households outside and remain 2 metres apart and to wash your hands regularly. If you are contacted by the Test, Trace and Protect advisers please listen to their advice to keep yourself and those of your household safe.”

"This news demonstrates that the virus is still amongst us. We must all follow all the safety advice in order to Keep Wrexham Safe.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those in the Test, Trace and Protect teams for their rapid response to this situation.”