A MUSHROOM company in County Tipperary has suspended work as dozens of staff test positive for Covid-19.
Walsh Mushrooms in Golden, County Tipp, suspended work and introduced further testing after one member of staff tested positive for the disease last week.
The tests-- conducted at a temporary testing centre in the town, built by the Defence Forces and Civil Defence-- have revealed that out of the 170 people employed by Walsh Mushrooms, up to 29 have the virus.
There is concern that the outbreaks could lead to clusters in the village and surrounding areas, as happened in the factory outbreaks in Kildare, but there is so far no indication that the outbreak has not been contained to within the factory.
In a statement, the company told RTÉ News that the blanket testing of staff following one member contracting the disease had revealed a large number of cases, and all staff will be re-tested on the 7th and 14th day after their result.
The plant remains closed, and is undergoing a 'deep clean' to protect "the safety, well-being and protection of our employees, their families and the local community".
Further tests will be undertaken on staff, close contacts and members of the town next weekend to trace any clusters which may develop.
