ABP has confirmed that routine testing of employees at Slaney Foods in Wexford and ABP Bandon has resulted in more than 100 cases of COVID-19 being confirmed.

A spokesperson for ABP told the Irish Farmers Journal that following the screening of staff at Slaney Foods on Friday, the company has been notified of 42 positive COVID-19 tests.

In line with COVID-19 protocols, all close contacts of those affected are currently self-isolating. The site is also operating at a significantly reduced capacity.

A further 66 positive cases have been confirmed among staff in ABP Bandon last week.

The 14-day incidence rate for COVID-19 in the Bandon area is among the highest in the country at more than 960 per 100,000 of population.

Bunclody also has a 14-day incidence rate of over 960 cases per 100,000.

Self isolation

“Staff safety and public health is our priority and Slaney Foods will continue to work with the HSE in relation to the matter,” the ABP spokesperson said.

“Since the advent of COVID-19, Slaney Foods has introduced a range of industry-leading protection measures as part of an industry-wide initiative.

“These include limiting site access to essential personnel, temperature checks at the entry to the site, staggered break times, perspex partitions where appropriate, social distancing measures in canteens and all other communal spaces, as well as detailed protocols for colleagues who display any symptoms.

“We are continually evolving and improving the measures to ensure safety at all our sites.”