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Independent TD Denis Naughten has called the level of contact tracing in meat factories “unacceptable” after it emerged that up to 40% of close contacts of workers in plants were not informed they were at risk of contagion.
The information came to light in response to a parliamentary question from deputy Naughten to Minister for Health Simon Harris.
Minister Harris disputed the original percentage Naughten put to him but admitted that a high number of people had not been made aware they were at risk.
“…the amount of contact tracing is much higher than one third and is between at least 60% and 70%, although there are a number of cases in which there are contact and communications difficulties,” Minister Harris said.
Meat plants
Department of Health figures show that to date, 1,048 workers in meat plants have tested positive for the coronavirus out of almost 2,400 tests carried out by the HSE. There are 19 clusters in meat factories and seven factories have had all staff tested.
Deputy Naughten said there is significant concern in communities of a spill over of the virus from factories where clusters are present.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that a factory in the midlands is retesting workers for the virus.
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