THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST, 2020

For immediate release:

COVID-19 Coupar Angus factory – Urgent change in advice for household contacts

The Incident Management Team (IMT), which is working with Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland and local environmental health teams, has issued urgent new advice in relation to the 2 Sisters food processing plant in Coupar Angus.

THE NEW GUIDANCE IS THAT ANYONE LIVING IN A HOUSEHOLD WITH A FACTORY WORKER, INCLUDING ANY CHILDREN, MUST NOW ISOLATE AT HOME UNTIL MONDAY, 31 AUGUST.

Advice to factory workers remains the same. They need to continue to self-isolate at home until Monday, 31 August, even if they have had a negative test.

Dr Emma Fletcher, Associate Director of Public Health for NHS Tayside, said, “This is a critical change to our advice this evening. We are putting in place this extra measure to help prevent further spread of the infection in the community.

“It’s also really important that everyone in the Tayside area is extra vigilant in following the FACTS guidance, in particular the over 70s, and those who were shielding or in high-risk groups.

“A large proportion of the workforce has already come forward for testing which is excellent but we would strongly encourage all workers who have not yet been tested to take up this offer, even if they don’t have any symptoms.

“We continue to work closely with the factory and Local Authority colleagues to ensure that all workers have the right information and support to access testing.”

Figures of COVID-19 confirmed and suspected cases related to the factory as at 2pm, August 20, 2020:

• Number of confirmed COVID-19 = 43

• 37 are factory workers and 6 are contacts

• The cases have mild symptoms and none has required medical care

Anyone who has any of the following symptoms should book a test at nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or call 0800 028 2816 if they are unable to access the online service:

• a high temperature or fever

• a new continuous cough 

• a loss of, or change, in sense of smell or taste

Remember the FACTS guidance:

F – Face coverings. These should be used in shops and on public transport (buses, trains and taxis)

A – Avoid crowded places

C – Clean your hands frequently, using water & soap whenever possible

T – Two metres – observe physical distancing

S – Self-isolate and book a test if you are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138