Six cases of Covid-19 confirmed at Black Country business
Six employees have tested positive for coronavirus at a Black Country firm.
Sandwell Council and Public Health England (PHE) are working to support Clarke Transport, based in Tipton.
All positive cases are self-isolating for at least 10 days, with three other possible staff contacts isolating for 14 days.
Dr Lisa McNally, Sandwell’s director of public health, said: “We are grateful to Clarke Transport for their prompt response to the situation.
“The rate of infection is dangerously high in Tipton, with more than 200 new cases in just one week and the rate of infection currently more than double the national rate.”
A spokesman for Clarke Transport said: “A small number of colleagues have tested positive and have immediately self-isolated, along with some other colleagues who came into contact with them.
“The safety of our colleagues and customers is our top priority, at the start of the pandemic a whole range of extensive measures were introduced to help keep everyone safe, including one-way systems, mandatory temperature testing, staggered start and finish times to avoid contact, cleaning protocols, protective screens, social distancing, a range of PPE to all staff and hand sanitisers.
“Of the 140 staff working at the site there have been no further cases advised. We would like to thank Dr Lisa McNally and her team at Sandwell Council and Public Health England West Midlands for their speedy and effective response in helping us manage this situation.”
Dr James Chipwete, consultant in communicable disease control with PHE in the West Midlands, said: “The management at Clarke Transport are cooperating fully with public health professionals to protect the health and wellbeing of their workforce.
"We are dealing with a workforce of around 140 people, and despite putting a range of infection control measures in place to protect staff from potential exposure to Covid-19, there have been a number of cases among workers.
"We know that two of the positive cases car share on their journey to work – and this is a recurring issue we see with possible routes of transmission in businesses. That is why we urge people, where possible, to either use personal or public transport.
"If people must car share, then remember to wear face coverings, roll down windows for ventilation, and car share within your own household if appropriate, or with the same person.”
