Over 100 outbreaks a week are ‘silently dealt with’ across England

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said on Monday that more than 100 outbreaks are happening weekly across England which are being “swiftly and silently” dealt with.

Schools, businesses and pubs are seeing flare ups weekly which is being handled by “local actions” with many reopening within 10 days.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Hancock said, “Each week there are more than 100 local actions taken across the country – some of these will make the news, but many more are swiftly and silently dealt with.

“This is thanks in large part to the incredible efforts of local authorities – all of whom have stepped up and published their local outbreak control plans in line with the end of June deadline.”

According to a classified “sensitive” leaked government document, 20 councils across England have been identified that are most at risk of new virus outbreaks.

The leaked document, which was given to the Guardian and the Observer, has identified potential new localised lockdown areas.

The areas that are mong those of facing a potential resurgence of the virus are, Sheffield, Kirklees and Bradford.

The Guardian reported that Public Health England (PHE) had briefed government health officials last Thursday, in considering publishing a ranking of 10 councils most affected by the outbreaks.

The document which was marked “official sensitive” reportedly published by PHE, has ranked 20 councils that have the highest proportion of confirmed coronavirus cases.

On Sunday it was announced that an outbreak of coronavirus has happened at a farm in Herefordshire as 73 workers have tested positive for the virus.

The outbreak at the AS Green and Co farm has been detected in the living quarters during the harvest season, which has seen a total of 200 people being placed into self-isolation.

Tests have been carried out on all workers who have been showing symptoms of coronavirus.

Public Health England Midlands health protection director Katie Spence said in a statement, “A small number of workers became symptomatic earlier this week and they and a few close contacts among the workforce were tested initially and found to be positive.

“In line with NHS guidance, affected individuals were asked to self-isolate for seven days, with their households and close contacts asked to isolate for 14-days.

“As we have seen a global trend of large food producers being subject to outbreaks, as a precautionary measure, the decision was made to test the entire workforce.

“The initial batch of results showed a significant percentage of positive cases, despite these individuals being asymptomatic.”

A statement on the farms’ website said, “We confirm that we are working closely with, Public Health England and the Public Health team at Herefordshire Council to support a number of our workers that have tested positive for Covid-19.

“As a precautionary measure we have arranged for testing of additional key workers including management team members and visitors connected with AS Green and can confirm all results to date outside of our site have been returned with negative results.

“To date there are 73 positive cases on our site.

“Our site is currently closed for all visitors and with the assistance of the various bodies no workers are being permitted to leave our site and are receiving the required support at our site.”

A spokeswoman for the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) said, “The industry takes this issue incredibly seriously and everything is being done to keep workers safe; their health and safety remains the priority.

“Across the sector there have been significant investments this season; from the use of additional safety equipment and PPE, regularly testing temperatures, and following government guidance created specifically for seasonal workers.”