Herefordshire farm in lockdown as 73 workers test positive for Covid-19

A Herefordshire farm has gone into lockdown after 73 workers tested positive for coronavirus, sparking fears the harvest season could fuel further outbreaks.

Around 200 staff at AS Green and Co, which supplies Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's Aldi and Asda, will spend the next two weeks isolated in temporary mobile home accommodation in a bid to control the spread.

Last night Public Health England (PHE) described the outbreak on the family-owned farm at Mathon near Malvern as the first of its kind.

It comes as tens of thousands of seasonal farm hands congregate across the country as the harvest season gets into full swing.

Contacts between farms and their local communities are likely to be higher than usual this summer because travel restrictions have forced farmers to rely more heavily on local labour, rather than foreign workers.

Widescale testing on the Herefordshire farm was introduced early last week after a handful of staff developed symptoms of Covid-19.

Local officials said initial results showed “a significant percentage of positive cases, despite these individuals being asymptomatic”.

The situation follows a spate of outbreaks in meat plants.

Although a warm outdoor environment is believed to hamper the spread of Covid-19, as at AS Green and Co, many temporary farm workers spend the season in shared accommodation.

The workers will now have to remain “bubbled” on the farm for the isolation period, with staff from the local council shipping in food and other supplies.

The business, which produces tenderstem broccoli as well as broad, runner and helda beans, has issued a statement stressing PHE advice that the virus is “very unlikely” to be transmitted through food or food packaging.

Katie Spence, PHE Midlands Health Protection Director, said: “At this phase of the pandemic, we still expect to see cases in the community and within settings where people are closer together, such as workplaces, which is why the Test and Trace system is important, to help us pick up on any potential problems and swiftly to take remedial action to reduce spread."

She added: “We are still awaiting a few final results, but currently we have 73 positive cases of COVID-19 among the workforce."

In April the farm launched an appeal for up to 160 temporary workers to come forward to help with the harvest, due to an expected labour shortage.

“Not only does the role provide the opportunity to work in a safe, healthy environment throughout the summer months, but it also enables those who have been financially impacted by the pandemic to boost their income,” said owner Andrew Green.

Under a government scheme, staff on furlough from other industries are entitled to take up agricultural work without losing their furlough pay.

PHE said that social distancing had been “encouraged” in the packaging areas and communal social areas and that personal protective equipment had been provided.

Regular handwashing for at least 20 seconds and also been promoted, as well as the use of face coverings in enclosed areas.

From 29 June to 5 July, Herefordshire had an average rate of two new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, figures from Public Health England show. This compares with Leicester, which had 116 cases per 100,000.

The agricultural outbreak came to light the day details emerged of a reported government watchlist of 20 towns that are at high risk of going back into lockdown.

Documents leaked to the Observer newspaper highlighted a swathe of northern towns such as Kirklees, Bradford and Blackburn, where higher than average infection rates has marked them down as being either of “concern” or needing “enhanced” support.

Two Kent towns, Ashford and Folkestone, were also on the list of potential hotspots.

The Department of Health and Social Care has denied that the document amounts to a watchlist or that it has a set “trigger” for ordering local lockdowns.

So far only Leicester has been subject to the measures.

A spokesman for the National Farmers’ Union 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.”