Welsh toilet paper factory hit by coronavirus outbreak

A coronavirus outbreak has been confirmed at a toilet paper factory in north Wales after a ‘small number’ of staff tested positive.

Workers affected at the Coleshill Mill site in Flint, who produce products by US care company Kimberley-Clark, from Andrex to Kleenex, are self-isolating at home.

Around 200 people are employed at the factory.

A spokesman said: “Kimberly-Clark's highest priority is to protect the health and safety of our employees around the world.

“We can confirm that a small number of employees working at our Coleshill Mill at Flint have tested positive for COVID-19 and are recovering well at home.

“All employees working in collaboration with the individuals are self-isolating and being tested for Covid-19.

“In line with our strict company procedures and local health authority guidelines, we are continuing to clean and sanitise the location with a professional supplier, according to the strictest standards.

“We are also keeping employees up to date on our actions and giving them guidance on how they can continue to protect themselves.”

It comes after local lockdowns were announced across Wales from tomorrow after 133 were tested positive yesterday, with cases expected to rise.

Kimberley-Clark is one of many factories across the UK to be hit by coronavirus outbreaks since August.

Two weeks ago Chicken factory Banham Poultry Limited in Norfolk was forced to partially close after 75 workers tested positive while Northampton-based sandwich factory Greencore temporarily closed after almost 300 employees contracted Covid-19.