Coronavirus outbreak at Wellingborough Royal Mail delivery office

A Royal Mail delivery office has been hit by an outbreak of Covid-19 leaving at least two workers in hospital, according to worried colleagues.

One of those suffering from the virus is said to be 'very poorly'.

The Northants Telegraph has learned that worried workers at the Midland Road delivery office say there are no social distancing measures in place.

One insider said: "Although PPE (gloves and masks) have now been provided there has been no training on how to use them safely.

"Six staff members now have confirmed cases and two of these have been hospitalised.

"A colleague informed all staff of these cases over the tannoy system. The management team have not spoken to staff about this and have not provided advice.

"The office has not been closed for a deep clean and operations continue as normal. Staff are concerned for their well-being."

The outbreak has been reported to the Communication Workers Union and to the Health and Safety Executive.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “We wish a speedy recovery to colleagues who recently tested positive for COVID-19.

"Royal Mail takes the health and safety of its colleagues, its customers and the local communities in which we operate very seriously. Throughout this crisis, every decision we make puts the health of our people and customers first.

"Following each diagnosis, we carried out a full enhanced clean of the building.

"We have also increased daily cleaning levels to ensure all touch points are sanitised on a daily basis. We carried out an additional intense clean of the building. In assessing the risks to our people and making the necessary operational changes to protect them, Royal Mail continues to engage with our union the CWU.

"At a local level we have been working well together to find practical solutions to the many issues that have emerged. We have a joint interest in protecting our people.”

“There is good stock of Personal Protective Equipment at the Delivery Office, including hand sanitiser, protective disposable gloves, disposable facemasks and sanitiser wipes for communal touchpoints and vehicles.

"These items are freely available and promoted to staff. We have put in place a range of preventive measures to protect both our customers and our colleagues. Standard ways of working have been revised to ensure that colleagues stay two metres apart.

"All staff have been briefed about the social distancing measures jointly agreed by local management and CWU. This has been supplemented with visible reminders such as posters and one-way floor markings where the building allows. In addition there is only one person permitted in a Royal Mail delivery vehicle at any one time”.

Yesterday it was revealed that Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital are believed to have had the highest number of Covid deaths among all English hospital trusts in the past two weeks.