Wrexham GP calls for local lockdown as concerns mount over Rowan Foods coronavirus outbreak

A Wrexham GP has called for local lockdown measures to be introduced as concerns mount over a coronavirus outbreak at a local food plant.

The Welsh Health Minister announced today that a total of 97 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed centred around Rowan Foods on Wrexham Industrial Estate, while more than 1,000 tests have been conducted.

Vaughan Gething said the factory currently remains operational with a site visit due to take place later this week.

The Welsh Government is using the track, trace and protect system to identify staff members who have fallen ill, along with those they have been in contact with.

He added that all those impacted were being advised to self-isolate.

However, Dr Peter Saul, who works at the Beech Avenue Practice in Rhos, has called for stronger measures to be put in place to prevent the virus spreading further within the community.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales this morning, he said he felt introducing a local lockdown would be an effective way of containing the outbreak.

He said: “I think it’s something we’re going to have to face. We’ve seen it elsewhere in Europe.

“For example, there was a meat processing plant in Germany which had an even bigger outbreak last week and the authorities there have imposed a local lockdown.

“They’d already opened schools, but they’ve closed schools back again.

“In Anglesey, they’re actually delaying the reopening of the schools because of the events there.

“I think it’s something that we’re going to have to face and it’s probably the best way to deal with it, so that you have a tailor made solution to events that are happening in a particular locality, rather than have a Wales-wide or UK-wide response.”

The government said the outbreak followed a wider global trend which has seen meat and food processing sites become more susceptible to COVID-19, resulting in local hotspots.

A larger wave has also occurred at the 2 Sisters chicken processing plant on Anglesey, where 200 cases have been confirmed, largely among employees.

Officials said “all necessary action” was being taken to control the situation and there was no evidence that coronavirus can spread through food.

But Dr Saul said the outbreak of cases in Wrexham had caused concern among residents.

He said: “I think it’s caused a stir in the local community and it reinforces the worry that maybe the virus isn’t totally on the way out.

“It’s maybe something we’re going to have to put up with, not just locally in North Wales, but across the whole of the UK for the rest of the year where we see local outbreaks.

“It has been disturbing, but people are taking it in their stride.

“People will be going back to their families and potentially it will spread through their families, but there is contract tracing going on and people are being advised to isolate if they are at risk.

“Hopefully it will be contained, and it won’t spread any further.”

He added the different lockdown rules in Wales and England were causing “confusion” in areas such as Wrexham and Deeside, where people travel across the border to work and do essential shopping.

In a statement issued today, the Health Minister outlined in detail the steps the government is taking to address the localised outbreaks.

Mr Gething said compliance with the two metre social distancing rule in workplaces had generally been good, but stated the coronavirus was known to thrive in cold and damp environments, such as meat processing facilities.

He said: “We also know that many people employed in this sector are on basic minimum wage and levels of statutory sick pay mean many people feel they have no choice but to carry on working when they are ill.

“Earlier this week, I met unions representing the workforce at the two North Wales plants and agreed a set of wider actions, focusing on workforce wellbeing.

“A meeting will be held later this week with the sector, unions and employers to discuss worker benefits.

“We will also develop wider guidance for the sector, working with Public Health Wales and other agencies, including the Food Standards Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.

“We are keeping these outbreaks and incidents under very close observation and management and all necessary action to protect the public is and will continue to be taken.”

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme)