Some 823 workers in meat plant have tested positive for COVID-19. It marks a significant jump from last week when the HSE confirmed that 571 workers had contracted the virus.
Some 823 workers in meat plant have tested positive for COVID-19.
It marks a significant jump from last week when the HSE confirmed that 571 workers had contracted the virus.
Dr Tony Holohan of the HSE said that the number of clusters had also risen to 16.
Specific guidelines have been issued by the HSE to meat factories and include the need to introduce multi-lingual signs and in severe outbreaks temporary closures are possible.
Concerns have been raised that test results in meat factories were given to management at the plants before individuals.
But Holohan insisted: “Employers shouldn't get the results before employees.”
The body representing meat plants, Meat Industry Ireland (MII), has always maintained that their members have adhered to HSE protocols.
Concerns
However, concerns have been raised that large outbreaks in meat plants could spill over to local areas.
The issue of inspections has also been raised and TDs have expressed their disappointment that the Health and Safety Authority has not carried out any on-site inspections of meat plants, despite a number of complaints it has received in regard to factories.
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