Attleborough's Banham Poultry Covid-19 cases soars to 46

According to data released by Norfolk County Council moments ago, the number of workers linked to Banham Poultry to have tested positive for Covid-19 has risen to 46.

The surge follows extensive testing on 300 employees carried out on Monday and Tuesday following seven positive tests.

Infected workers at Banham Poultry, which is on Station Road in Attleborough, will now be isolating for 14 days.

Dr Louise Smith, Norfolk's director of public health, said: “We can confirm that we have now received a significant number of positive tests from workers at the Banham Poultry site and we are awaiting further test results, which may reveal more positive cases. This has significant implications for the health of the workforce and significant implications for Banham Poultry as a business.

“Banham Poultry have been working hard to ensure the health and safety of their staff. We are now working with colleagues across the county, regionally and nationally to take specialist advice, including learning from other similar outbreaks in other parts of the UK. This will assist us to quickly make decisions on what the next steps will be to prevent further transmission of the virus.”

Dr Smith added: "At this stage in our investigation these cases of infection are in staff who work in Banham Poultry and their households. There is no evidence of increased risk to the general public. The risk of infection from food products is very low."