Coronavirus outbreak at Tesco store as workers test positive and self-isolate
A number of workers at a Wiltshire Tesco store have tested positive for coronavirus – in a town hit by a rise in cases.
The supermarket confirmed that a number of staff at its Extra store in Swindon are now self-isolating. But it is not known exactly how many workers have tested positive.
It comes as Swindon was placed on a Government watch list following a spike in Covid-19 cases. The town has seen local distribution centres for both Iceland and Royal Mail report outbreaks in recent weeks.
A spokesperson for Tesco explained: ‘We have introduced extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone safe, including protective screens at every checkout, social distancing signage and regular deep cleaning.’
Swindon was added to the coronavirus surveillance report on August 7, published by Public Health England.
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The list covers places where extra measures such as local lockdowns or increased testing may be introduced.
The store affected employs hundreds of people and delivers to residents.
There are currently 29 areas on the government watch list, including Swindon, which has seen 46.8 people per 100,000 displaying symptoms of the virus between July 27 and August 2.
Blackburn with Darwen sits at the top of that list, with 80.6 people, but otherwise only Bradford, Leicester and Oldham have rates higher than Swindon.
The data was released as Preston, on 36, became the latest UK city to go back into lockdown this weekend, facing tighter lockdown measures similar to those in east Lancashire and Greater Manchester, as well as Aberdeen.
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