Tipperary COVID-19

Outbreak confirmed in Walsh Mushrooms in Golden via Michael Lowry in Facebook.

Michael Lowry T.D.

Following ongoing representations with the HSE and the Minister for Health, I have been informed that there has been a Positive case of Covid with a worker at the Walsh mushrooms producer group located in Golden Co Tipperary yesterday.

I can also confirm that another 19 close contact workers have been tested and 10 of these have also tested positive. As there are now 11 workers with a 50% positive rate so far, the Walsh Mushrooms facility has been closed by the HSE.

During my representations with the HSE and Minister Donnelly, I have reiterate that the protection of public health must be our overriding concern, that is, the health of the workers within the Walsh Mushroom factory, the health of the wider communities in which the workers reside, and the health of the general population in the area.

The HSE is working with the Defence Forces to construct a temporary testing facility this evening at Golden Church, so that all remaining workers in the factory will be tested over the next 24/48hrs.

Full statement – Walsh Mushrooms Golden Ltd.

Operations are being suspended after a member of staff was diagnosed with COVID-19 while in self isolation. Subsequent testing of close contacts has resulted in further positive cases.

As a business, we have stringent measures in place to control COVID-19 since March and we have had no incidence of COVID-19 up to this point. We are working with the HSE and all relevant authorities assisting in contact tracing and testing of all staff.

We will use the opportunity to deep clean the plant during the temporary closure. Essential maintenance will continue at the facility. The safety, wellbeing and protection of our employees, their families and the local community is our number