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Eight new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at ABP Cahir in Co Tipperary.
Last week, a worker tested positive for the virus at the factory and following HSE testing of close contacts of that worker, ABP has been notified of an additional eight positive cases at the facility.
ABP will now begin testing all staff members at its Cahir facility, a spokesperson for ABP confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal on Thursday.
“The testing will be carried out by a private company in conjunction with the HSE to alleviate the pressure on local COVID-19 testing at this time.
“It is expected that the testing will commence in the next 24 hours,” the spokesperson said.
The worker who tested positive last week, who is understood to be from Brazil, and a large number of people who worked alongside him were self-isolating last week in accordance with HSE guidelines.
Throughput
ABP Cahir employs some 650 workers annually and it is one of the biggest beef plants in the country, processing close to 400 cattle per day.
On Monday, throughput was reduced to half of its usual kill and the factory operated a reduced kill on Wednesday. There is no kill planned on Thursday and Friday at the factory.
Staff
The health and safety of staff, suppliers, customers and the local community is of paramount importance, according to ABP.
The ABP spokesperson said the company will continue to work proactively and take direction from both the HSE and HSA.
ABP has put a range of protection measures in place at the facility, including temperature checks at the entry to the site, staggered break times, social distancing measures in canteens and all other communal spaces, as well as detailed protocols for colleagues who display any symptoms.
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