Testing to be offered to distribution centre staff after confirmed COVID-19 cases
The Council is working with Public Health England (PHE) South West and XPO Logistics to support staff at its Penzance Drive distribution centre in Swindon, following confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Published: Wednesday, 29th July 2020
As a precautionary measure, and to make sure the outbreak is contained, staff at the distribution centre will from this morning (Wed) be offered the opportunity to be tested on site to identify those who have COVID-19.
The Mobile Testing Unit will be in place from this morning and will remain there for four days, with attendants seeking to test as many staff members as possible.
A small number of positive COVID-19 cases have been identified and the site remains operational, with social distancing and infection control measures being reinforced on a daily basis. People identified as close contacts of the cases are currently following advice and self-isolating at home.
Health professionals Swindon Borough Council have visited the site this week and are confident that proper safety measures are in place to protect against the further spread of the virus.
Steve Maddern, Swindon Borough Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “The offer of testing to everybody who works on site is a precautionary measure, but it is important that we act to help stop the spread of the virus within our workplaces and the local community in Swindon.
“We are working closely with Public Health England and would like to thank XPO Logistics for their co-operation in this matter.
“It is important that everyone in Swindon remains vigilant and takes steps to help reduce the spread of the virus at work, at home and when socialising after work. This includes washing hands more often than usual for 20 seconds with soap and water, coughing and sneezing into tissues and promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach, cleaning frequently touched surfaces regularly and minimising contact with other people as far as possible.”
If close acquaintances of distribution centre staff would like to be tested, they are advised to book a free coronavirus test.
The most common symptoms of coronavirus are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature and/or
- a loss of, or change in normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
If you develop ANY of the above symptoms, however mild, then you must self-isolate and arrange to have a test.
Further advice is available at the NHS website - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/.