Abattoir forced to close after coronavirus outbreak

An abattoir in Angus has been forced to close following an outbreak of coronavirus.

Quality Pork Processors (QPP) shut down operations on Saturday after 19 Covid cases were linked to its Brechin factory last week.

On Tuesday, NHS Tayside confirmed the number of positive cases connected to the pork processing plant had risen to 34.

The health board said the increase was “expected” and all new patients were already self-isolating.

QPP said the decision to close was taken due to the “high level of absenteeism” caused by quarantining staff.

All those affected have been placed on furlough.

The company added that before the outbreak there had been no positive Covid cases at the site.

Dr Ellie Hothersall, associate director of public health at NHS Tayside and chair of the Incident Management Team (IMT), said: “Thirty-four cases of Covid-19 connected to the Quality Pork Processors in Brechin have now been identified.

“This was an expected increase, with the additional positive cases already self-isolating.

“The processing factory is working closely with NHS Tayside’s public health team, Food Standards Scotland and Angus Council environmental health team and all arrangements for contact tracing and self-isolation are in place.

“The management team at the processing factory have informed the IMT that the Quality Pork Processors board have made the decision to temporarily halt operations at the site for a two-week period.

“The multi-agency IMT will continue to keep the situation under close review.”