There have been renewed calls to increase testing for workers in meat processing factories
Clusters in food processing plants in recent weeks are among the factors that have led to the spike in new cases in counties such as Kildare - one of the three counties which has seen a partial lockdown reintroduced.
O'Brien's Fine Foods in Timahoe, Co Kildare yesterday confirmed another six COVID-19 cases among employees after they confirmed 80 cases earlier in the week.
Industry group Meat Industry Ireland has said 'robust protocols' are in place across all plants, and yesterday met with Government and health officials to "look at any additional actions that can be undertaken.
Opposition parties, meanwhile, have called for testing and inspections to be increased.
Sinn Féin said there's now a need for "rolling testing" in all food factories and any other workplaces where there's a high risk of coronavirus transmission.
The party's health spokesperson David Cullinane said: "We have been here before and warned that aggressive testing and tracing was needed. If we fail to do that we will see more spikes."
He said his party has been calling for more inspectors and more inspections of the sites 'for months'.
RISE TD Paul Murphy said he'd highlighted the risk of clusters in food processing factories in the Dáil over three months ago.
Over three months ago I warned the Minister that the meat plants and food processing industries could become major Covid clusters.
I was accused of smearing the companies.
These new outbreaks are a result of light touch and self regulation of these businesses. https://t.co/BNvUvA86Ih
— Paul Murphy (@paulmurphy_TD) August 7, 2020
This comes as Kildare, Offaly And Laois have been put under partial lockdown.
