THE total number of confirmed cases at the 2 Sisters Food Group poultry processing plant on the Isle of Anglesey has increased to 200 overall.

Public Health officials say that the increase follows a rapid screening exercise over the weekend which is continuing through this week. Two new cases have been confirmed as well as 26 previous cases identified via the home testing method.

More than 450 samples have taken so far been, during the rapid screening phase.

Employees and contractors from the processing plant continue to be asked to self-isolate for 14 days to help limit the further spread of COVID-19, following confirmation of multiple cases in the workforce.

Public Health Wales continues to work in partnership with the employer, Anglesey and Gwynedd Councils, the Health and Safety Executive, the Food Standards Agency, North Wales Police, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to manage the incident.

Dr Graham Brown, consultant in communicable disease control at Public Health Wales said: “I would like to thank the workforce and wider community for their swift co-operation with this test and trace process. This rapid response is providing vital information to help minimise the further spread of COVID-19 locally.

“We have recorded an increase of 25 confirmed positive cases of coronavirus, bringing the total cases in the outbreak to 200. Since we commenced targeted testing last Thursday, over 400 members of staff have provided samples.

“The deployment of rapid test and trace facilities has helped identify this situation, and we will continue to keep control measures in place to bring the outbreak to a rapid conclusion.”

Dr Brown adds that “incidents like this are a reminder that coronavirus is still circulating, sometimes invisibly, and that we all need to be vigilant”.

He continues: “We all have a part to play in preventing the spread of coronavirus by sticking to social distancing guidelines – that’s staying two metres away from others – and washing hands regularly.

“Employees who test positive are being contacted through the Test, Trace and Protect process and provided with additional advice for themselves, household and other contacts.

“I wish to remind everyone that if you or a member of your household develop symptoms of cough, fever or change in sense of taste or smell, you must book a test for COVID-19 you should do so promptly to help control the spread of infection.”

The Food Standards Agency have advised that it is very unlikely that you can catch coronavirus from food.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and it is not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging.