Of the 828 Covid-19 cases that were directly linked to meat processing plants up to Tuesday evening as reported by Dr Tony Holohan, it has since emerged that between 120 and 150 workers in Kepak’s meat processing factory in Watergrasshill had tested positive for the virus.
Because Kepak has a large number of its workforce living in the general Fermoy/Mitchelstown area, to say there was concern at the news locally would be an understatement.
Much of this fear stemmed from the uncertainty regarding the actual number of cases, as well as the worry regarding contagion.
While there have been conflicting reports regarding conditions at the Kepak factory, one long-time worker there said that ‘all sorts off measures’ had been put in place.
“I feel safe in this plant. As safe as walking down the street in Fermoy. I’m happy with what they’ve done,” he stated.
One way or the other, people continue to express their concern over the spread of the virus in the area.
This, coupled with the bulletin in last week’s Avondhu from local GPs that the virus had spiked locally, makes it all the more important that we stick to the regulations that are by now, well publicised.
