'Small number' of coronavirus cases reported at West Bromwich firm
A "small number" of positive coronavirus cases have been recorded at a manufacturing business in West Bromwich, health chiefs have confirmed.
Pargat Housewares, based on Birmingham Road, is now working with Public Health England (PHE) Sandwell Council to curb the virus spread.
A total of eight cases have been confirmed at the manufacturing firm, but most staff affected have since returned to work after self-isolating.
Dr Adrian Philips, PHE Midlands consultant in communicable disease control, said: "The management at Pargat are cooperating fully with public health professionals to protect the health and wellbeing of their workforce.
"The company has a workforce of around 70 people at site in West Bromwich and they have put a range of infection control measures in place to reduce the risk of staff being exposed to Covid-19.
"This includes the wearing of face coverings, an enhanced cleaning regime and asking employees not to car share."
Pargat Housewares – which manufacturers cookware and bakeware products which are supplied globally – say they alerted health chiefs "immediately".
A spokesperson for the firm said: “In line with government guidelines, we have been advising our employees not to car share unless absolutely necessary.
"None of the affected employees have been on our site since exhibiting symptoms.
"We recognise our responsibility to support Public Health England in its work to help control local infections and so we alerted them immediately and have been working closely with them and Sandwell Council since.”
