NEWS | Workers from farm at centre of Coronavirus outbreak visited shops in Malvern and Worcester last week

Following reports of a Covid-19 outbreak on a farm in Mathon, Bill Wiggin MP has made the following statement.

“As many people will have seen on the news, a number of Covid-19 cases were detected on a farm in Mathon over the last weekend. 

73 people have tested positive of which 5 are believed to be symptomatic. 

Public Health England have acted incredibly fast to locate the virus, test all those on-site and form a large ‘bubble’ at the farm. 

I commend the action so far taken and I believe this has been a very good example of the effectiveness of the work done to combat and neutralise mini-outbreaks of Covid-19 not only in the County but also county-wide. 

It is believed that a worker on the farm began feeling unwell on Tuesday 7 July. 

Since that time, all workers on the site have been tested and now are completely isolated. 

I continue to be in contact with Public Health England, Herefordshire County Council and the Government regarding the situation. 

It is reaffirming to hear that Public Health England have declared there is no immediate threat to the wider community, however, we must not be complacent. 

The farm in question is incredibly rural and all those living on-site will remain isolated for the time-being. 

Public Health England, Herefordshire County Council and Worcestershire County Council are working together to track and trace the movements of the workers. 

I understand that residents of North Herefordshire will be keen to know if they may have come into contact with workers from the farm. 

Worcestershire County Council have been informed that a minibus took workers to shop in 4 separate locations in Worcester and Malvern last week. 

The shops and locations are: 
Worcester: Primark, Iceland and the Romanian store. 
Malvern: Morrison’s supermarket. 

For further updates, please refer to local news agencies and my website. 

Herefordshire remains well prepared for outbreaks like this and the response so far has been exemplary. 

It is important that we all carry on observing social distancing, regular washing of hands and good hygiene practices when we are out shopping again on our high streets. 

If you are feeling unwell and suspect you may have Covid-19 you must isolate, organise a test and only leave the house to go and get tested. 

I wish to thank the people of North Herefordshire for their calm and resilient approach to this situation. 

In particular, I wish to bring attention to those people who have come together to deliver essential supplies to the affected farm workers. 

It is a tremendous testament to the kindness and good will of the people of North Herefordshire.”