KLTV Newsdesk
Kirklees Council has released a statement outlining some key questions after eight members of staff at Highgrove Beds in Liversedge tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday (13th July).
In the statement, the council acknowledges that they, alongside Public Health England, are working with Highgrove Beds to follow NHS test and trace guidelines, as well as offer.
The Council says they inspected the bed factory last week and found high standards of infection control procedures and practices.
Highgrove Beds has since taken the decision to cease production as a safety precaution and will reopen when safe to do so.
The council confirmed that all staff are now to be offered tests, with a Mobile Testing Unit being set up on-site.
In the statement, the council also reminds residents that while the risk to residents from this outbreak is very low, everyone should continue to socially distance, wash hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water and get tested if they have symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
The statement also featured some common questions that residents may have about the state of the outbreak and relative risk to the wider community.
The council directly addressed whether or not this outbreak, alongside the others in Cleckheaton and Batley, meant Kirklees would have to go into a Local lockdown.
They said: “At the moment, there are no plans for this in Kirklees and we do not see this happening based on our current levels of infection.
“Public safety is the number one priority as always and we will continue to monitor the situation locally.”
When asked if the outbreak had been officially ‘contained’ the council said:
“To make sure we contain the virus, we are now offering testing for the whole workforce and are setting up a mobile testing unit on site.
“Following the Test and Trace programme, Kirklees Council, Public Health England and the company are also working together to identify and contact everyone who has been in contact with a positive case.
“If appropriate, they will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days.”
The council also noted that they are not aware of anyone who has tested positive being seriously ill or dying.