Four confirmed cases of coronavirus associated with a food processing plant are being investigated in Wales.
According to Public Health Wales four cases of laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 are associated with the Zorba Delicacies Ltd food processing plant in Ebbw Vale.
Investigations are ongoing as to the possible cause of the incident and as a result widespread testing of the workforce will take place from Tuesday.
Close contacts of confirmed cases have also been contacted through the Test, Trace, and Protect process.
Zobra Delicacies is a multi-million-pound manufacturer which produces dips, deli fillers, and soups.
There have been several outbreaks and small clusters of cases found in food processing plants across Wales over the last few weeks. First Minister Mark Drakeford has said that it is not just a Welsh phenomenon but is a “global issue”.
Dr Rhianwen Stiff, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales and our multi-agency partners have been investigating four laboratory-confirmed cases of coronavirus associated with the Zorba Delicacies Ltd food processing plant in Ebbw Vale.
“Investigations are ongoing as to the possible cause of the incident and no firm conclusions can be reached at this early stage. No outbreak has been declared.
“Close contacts of confirmed cases have been contacted through the Test, Trace, Protect process and provided with additional advice for themselves, household, and other contacts.
“As a precautionary measure, and to help with further understanding of situation within workplace settings, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, in collaboration with the Gwent Regional Test, Trace, Protect team, will carry out widespread, rapid testing of the workforce from Tuesday, with the full cooperation of Zorba Delicacies Ltd.”
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Dr Stiff said that small clusters of cases in settings such as the workplace are to be expected during the “recovery phase” of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We manage any cluster of coronavirus appropriately, including by providing advice around infection prevention and control, and by supporting contact tracing where required.”
She added: “The Food Standards Agency advise that it is very unlikely that you can catch coronavirus from food. Covid-19 is a respiratory illness. It is not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging.”
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