More coronavirus cases at Corby Tayto factory concerns workers

Staff say 16 Covid-19 cases were confirmed yesterday
Staff say there are now 16 confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the Tayto factory in CorbyStaff say there are now 16 confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the Tayto factory in Corby
Staff say there are now 16 confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the Tayto factory in Corby

Workers at the Tayto factory in Corby say they are frightened for their health after being told of more staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 since Thursday, May 7.

Tayto confirmed six cases of coronavirus on Monday but staff say 16 cases were confirmed last night in a virtual meeting between senior management and union representatives.

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One member of staff said: "After they had a conference call, one of the union reps said that's what it is, it's 16."

Another said: "I got told this morning there's 16 confirmed, a union manager told me.

"They had a Skype meeting with all the top bosses from Northern Ireland and everything."

Neither Usdaw, the union representing workers from the factory, or Tayto would confirm the figure.

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A statement from the manufacturer said: "Tayto Group has had a number of employees at Corby who have tested positive for Covid-19. All of these employees have been advised to follow Government guidance and self-isolate for at least 7 days.

"Our thoughts are with the affected employees and their families and we wish them a safe and speedy recovery."

Public Health England said it had not been notified of any cases at the factory.

The outbreak at Tayto in Corby follows the Prime Minister's announcement on Sunday that those who cannot work from home, like those working in manufacturing, should return to work.

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Employees at the Corby factory have said they are concerned for their health and how the situation is being handled. All requested anonymity to talk about the situation.

One worker said they did not think the company had reacted quickly enough to the first confirmed cases. They said the first cases were confirmed at 5pm on Thursday, May 7 but the factory had not closed until 10pm that evening.

They raised concerns with a manager and said: "I cannot believe you kept the factory open until 10pm. You have done a normal shut down, you kept people here for another four or five hours knowing the virus was in here."

In a statement, Tayto said: "On Thursday, May 7, following the first confirmed case, we took the opportunity of the extended Bank Holiday weekend to supplement our normal deep cleaning regime with some additional resource. The factory ceased production on May 7 at 10pm and re-started as planned on May 10 at 10pm.

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"During this time, we completed a thorough clean of all production and office workspaces, as well as communal areas."

Since then, staff say a number of additional cases have been confirmed but the factory has remained open. An employee said: "Two people who went for a test on Sunday, they came back to work on Monday and yesterday (Tuesday) they have claimed they have got it (a positive result).

"I think in any normal factory, as soon as they knew those two people were in on Monday with it, they would have shut down and cleaned."

Workers say the situation has left the staff scared and some reluctant to come to work, one staff member even said some employees did not know about the six confirmed cases on Monday until they read it in the Northamptonshire Telegraph.

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"Everyone is concerned, everyone is worried," said one member of staff.

"The place is terrified and people are getting it."

An employee said they had gone for a test despite not having symptoms after other staff tested positive. They said: "Three that I know of went for tests because of concerns, they didn’t have symptoms and they are positive.

"If they hadn't gone for tests, they would still be among us."

Following yesterday's meeting between bosses and union representatives, one member of staff said changes were being made, including distancing marshals and the closing of certain production lines if there was not enough people to staff them.

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A worker said: "This all should have been in place from day one.

"We have been banging our heads off a brick wall. It took that call yesterday.

"It's so frustrating."

Whilst new measures are being introduced, an employee said: "Working on production on the factory floor it’s almost impossible to do social distancing. You cannot hear each other - you wear ear protectors.

"You cannot communicate from two metres away."

Another member of staff said they had heard face masks might be given out soon, but so far the only extra PPE has been plastic perspex screens set up between workers on a packing line.

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Tayto said social distancing measures have been in places since March as well as enhanced cleaning procedures.

The company said: "As a business we are taking this situation very seriously and acting responsibly.

"We continue to follow all government guidance and work closely with our colleagues and their representatives to maintain a safe working environment during the Coronavirus pandemic."

Darren Matthews, area organiser for Usdaw, said: "Since the onset of this awful virus Usdaw has been working constructively, collaboratively and in great detail with Tayto to ensure measures and procedures are in place and adhered to.

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"The health and wellbeing of our members is Usdaw’s absolute priority and we have been working with the company throughout the coronavirus emergency to introduce extensive safety measures.

"Risk assessments continue and along with our Usdaw reps on site we are holding regular meetings and conference calls and will do so going forward ensuring we always seek to improve safety, the company are fully co-operating in that effort.

"Our thoughts are with those who have contracted Covid-19 and we wish them a speedy recovery. If any Usdaw member has ongoing concerns they should contact their union rep as soon as possible."