Covid-19 outbreak at Swindon XPO depot “under control” with numbers falling, says council

A coronavirus outbreak at XPO’s Swindon distribution centre is now under control with new Covid-19 cases continuing to fall, according to Swindon Borough Council.

The outbreak, which emerged two weeks ago, saw Public Health England South West set up a testing unit at the depot after 77 workers were found to be infected.

The council said it had been working closely with them to contain the spread of the virus among employees.

A Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) set up two weeks ago saw a total of 515 people tested as a precautionary measure to control the outbreak.

The council added that new cases have continued to fall over over the past week with those diagnosed self-isolating.

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• Call for XPO to shut Swindon depot after 64 workers test positive for Covid-19

Twenty-five staff have since returned to work.

Steve Maddern, Swindon Borough Council’s public health director, said: “The number of new Covid-19 cases has continued to fall in recent days, which is reassuring.

“We have been working closely with XPO Logistics and our colleagues at Public Health England South West to ensure the necessary protocols and public health procedures are in place and we are confident we are now coming to the end of this outbreak and that it has been contained.

“More than 500 staff have been tested and those who have been identified as being close contacts of those affected have been told to self-isolate in accordance with government guidelines.

“The recent outbreak has contributed to a spike in the Covid-19 case rate in Swindon over and above the infections we have seen in recent weeks. However, we expect to see a continued reduction in the case rate over the coming days."