Seven test positive at Midlands company

Seven staff members at Carroll Cuisine in Tullamore have tested positive for COVID-19, the company has confirmed.

The company said it had tested all employees after one had informed the company that they had tested positive.

As a result, six other staff members tested positive and are now self-isolating.

The company said no other positive cases have been identified and said it will continue to test all staff.

It said production was on a scheduled shut-down and that a deep clean has taken place.

The company's full statement is:

"During the past week, an employee of Carroll Cuisine informed the company that they had tested positive for Coronavirus/Covid-19 and they are now self-isolating.

The company immediately carried out testing of all employees and 6 other staff members, who work with the initial colleague affected, have tested positive and are now also self-isolating.

No other positive cases have been identified and the company will continue testing all staff and will remain vigilant on a constant basis.

We are supporting our affected employees and are working closely and co-operatively with the HSE who are satisfied with the actions we are taking.

Since the first outbreak of Covid-19 in Ireland we have implemented stringent health and safety measures to protect our employees and to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Production was on a scheduled shut-down and a deep clean has already taken place, in addition to all other ongoing and comprehensive measures, to allow production to recommence.

Carroll Cuisine makes high quality prepared consumer meat products. The company employs 330 people in Tullamore, Co. Offaly."