Some 12 meat factory workers have been hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19.

Department of Health figures obtained by the Irish Farmers Journal show that the number of clusters in meat plants has increased from 10 to 12 this week – meaning that just over a quarter of the 45 major processing sites have been affected.

There were also 571 confirmed cases linked to factory outbreaks which marked a slight rise in the 566 figure released last week by the department.

Outbreak team

A National Outbreak Control Team has been established by the HSE to investigate the clusters in meat plants and they met last week.

The HSE said that local outbreak teams were sent directly to outbreaks to develop management tools for affected facilities.

Meat Industry Ireland (MII), the organisation representing factories, has repeatedly stated that their members have put various measures in place to help protect workers.

They’ve said their members are committed to implementing any further measures advised by the HSE deemed necessary to protect the health and safety of staff.

In Northern Ireland, the workers’ union Unite has written to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister calling for the temporary closure of all meat factories to allow for testing following the death of a worker in Moy Park in Dungannon who contracted the virus.

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