Corby Tata Steel Covid cases confirmed as on-site lateral flow tests trialled

Bosses at Corby steelworks have said they are managing and monitoring a number of Covid positive tests among the 500 employees.

Tata Steel Corby employees have been kept up to date with the latest number of staff testing positive and isolating since they returned after the Christmas shutdown.

In the weekly briefing, union reps were told that 33 members of staff were isolating with a third of those having tested positive but only four have been confirmed since work resumed at the plant.

To help in the detection and reduce the transmission of the coronavirus, staff now have access to fast-acting lateral flow Covid tests at the on-site occupational health centre.

Dougie Fairbairn, union representative for Community, said: "Lateral flow tests were introduced last week and people have used them.

"If it is negative you go back to work. If it is positive you go home and organise another test and isolate.

"We have had four people test positive since we came back on January 6. It is less than I thought.

"We are trying to do as much as possible to stop the spread."

Last year, Tata Steel had told employees that if they were caught breaking government guidelines in or outside of work, they could face disciplinary action.

In November, after cases at Tata Steel doubled, and the number of people self-isolating rose to 27, workers were told in a memo seen by the Northants Telegraph that anyone who is deemed to not be following social distancing rules might not be paid if they subsequently have to self-isolate.

A Tata Steel spokesman said today (Wednesday): “The health and safety of our employees is our number one priority and we continue to manage and monitor the situation around coronavirus carefully.

“As well as government advice and rules we are working closely with employees and their trade union representatives to ensure the latest and best information, safety and hygiene equipment is available.

“We are asking all employees to follow advice and ensure they minimise any risk to themselves, their families and colleagues during these challenging times.”

Lateral flow test trials have been carried out across Tata Steel sites across the UK, but it is believed no decisions have yet been made regarding the lateral flow test roll-out with bosses continuing to engage with the trade unions.

A Tata Steel spokesman added: “We are looking at all options as we continue to ensure our employees are as safe as possible.”

It comes as the latest Covid cases in Corby show 122 people tested positive by specimen date for the seven days to January 8, 2021 with the rate per 100,000 resident population now 1093.8.

A member of staff, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "We feel like cattle in a pen waiting to be slaughtered.

"I have been up and down the site.

"People are not keeping two metres apart and not wearing facemasks.

"There are four to five guys working together - the managers are in their offices.

"Why are we still open? In lockdown one we were furloughed."

A spokesman for Northamptonshire's Covid response hub said: “We are aware of positive cases of COVID-19 at TATA, Corby.

"The individuals who have tested positive have been advised to self-isolate, as well as those identified as their contacts.

"We are working with the local public health team, Public Health England and Environmental Health colleagues, as we usually would, to ensure that control measures are in place to prevent further virus spread.

“Based on the information we have so far, the risk to the wider population is low and we will be continuing to monitor this."