Local Democracy Reporting Service

All staff at a Wakefield food factory should be tested for coronavirus after an outbreak at the site was confirmed, the area's MP has said.

Image source, Google

A total of 17 workers at Normanton's Forza Foods factory, whose parent company is Asda, had tested positive for Covid-19, Wakefield Council confirmed yesterday.

A further 300 staff at the factory, on Devilliers Way, had been offered tests and were told to self-isolate at home, the council said.

The factory, which employs over 1,000 people, remains operational as most of the workers who tested positive work the same shift, the company said.

Asda said it was working with Wakefield Council and Public Health England to isolate and test all workers on that shift as a precautionary measure.

Yvette Cooper, Labour MP for Normanton, has called on the government to ensure there is enough capacity to test all staff at the site, as well as their families.

Ms Cooper said: "I am seeking urgent assurances from the government that there will be sufficient swift test and trace support to help local teams tackle the outbreak.

"I've contacted the Director of Public Health, local officials and Asda with questions about what action is being taken, including making sure there is sufficient swift testing for all of the staff at Forza and any concerned relatives - as well as for the workforce on the most affected shift."

South Yorkshire's top police officer is warning people to be aware of the risks this weekend when pubs reopen as part of the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions.

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Ch Con Stephen Watson was speaking ahead of some pubs reopening their doors - the first time since they closed in March because of the pandemic.

Even though some places have chosen to open their doors again from Saturday in line with government rules, Mr Watson warned people that the virus was still in the community.

He said: "The vast majority of people in South Yorkshire have been absolutely brilliant throughout this very difficult time for us all.

"While we celebrate some relaxation of the restrictions, my concern is perhaps a growing minority of people are equating the relaxation with a complete absence of the virus, which of course isn’t true.

"This is a phased relaxation. We’re not back to business as usual," he warned.

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A mobile coronavirus testing site will be in Whitby today for anyone showing symptoms to get tested.

Image source, Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images

The drive-through facility is at the park and ride site on the A171 Guisborough Road.

It has been organised by the Department of Health and Social Care which has warned people to not just turn up but make an appointment first.

Anyone who is showing coronavirus symptoms is being asked to register for a test on the NHS website, external.

People who don’t have access to the internet can ring the new 119 service to book.

Key workers and members of their household should register for a test on the government website, external.

BBC Weather

A cloudy, wet and unsettled day as outbreaks of rain push in from the west, some of these heavy and prolonged.

Rain will be accompanied by brisk southwesterly winds.

Outbreaks of showery rain will gradually peter out during the night to leave it largely dry and cloudy for many areas and windy:

Inquiries are continuing this morning into the cause of a van explosion in Huddersfield which left one man hurt and caused damage to a nearby house.

Image source, Will Simpson/PA Wire

Eyewitnesses said there were a total of four explosions in Clayton West at about 13:40 on Thursday afternoon, which could be heard across a wide area.

The explosion set light to a house and garage on Ings Mill Avenue.

One man who had suffered burns was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary as a result of the explosion, according to West Yorkshire Fire Service.

Noone else is believed to have been injured in the incident.

Image source, Will Simpson/PA Wire

Local councillor Will Simpson, who lives nearby, says he went out after hearing the blast, only to hear another one minutes later.

He said this was then followed by two more which were less severe.

Mr Simpson said: "There was an initial explosion as I was in my house doing some work. I ran out of the house to see what happened and rang the emergency services.

"I was making my way back and then there was a second explosion which was much louder. That was seven minutes after the first one. Then there were two subsequent explosions," he said.

Image source, UGC

Mr Simpson said he was concerned when he heard the second blast because everyone had come out their houses following the first.

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The last remaining Post Office in a South Yorkshire town has been reprieved from closure just weeks before it was due to shut its doors for the final time.

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The Post Office inside the Heron Foods store on Wombwell's High Street was earmarked for closure on 27 July due to "diminishing demand".

At the time of the announcement, councillor Robert Frost described the move as "appalling", adding that many customers might struggle to get to the nearest branch at Brampton.

However, the Post Office has announed that the branch will remain open as usual for now.

A spokesperson said: "A temporary postmaster will operate the branch within the current supermarket.

"Heron Foods is allowing Wombwell Post Office to remain for the time being to give the Post Office more time to try to find a permanent solution."

Police are expecting a "very busy" night as people go drinking for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to South Yorkshire's Chief Constable.

Image source, Johnny Green/PA Media

The government has relaxed some restrictions about opening up pubs and restaurants from Saturday, providing they stick to social distancing measures.

However, Ch Con Stephen Watson (pictured), from South Yorkshire Police, said there are worries some people will drink excessively and end up in hospital.

He said: "We anticipate a potentially very busy night and I know this is something that’s concerning colleagues in the health service as well.

"When we introduce alcohol into the mix, there will be a minority of people, unfortunately, who will take on board far too much alcohol than is good for them."

Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Media

Mr Watson added that while officers will try to engage and educate the vast majority of people, if there is trouble they will enforce the law.

"We will not stand around and watch people get themselves into a place where they're endangering others," he warned.

Forza Foods in Normanton, where there are 17 positive coronavirus cases, will remain open.

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Local Democracy Reporting Service

Workers at a food factory in Normanton have been sent home after a coronavirus outbreak at the site, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Google

A total of 17 workers at Forza Foods, whose parent company is Asda, have tested positive for Covid-19, according to Wakefield Council.

A further 300 staff have been offered tests and have been told to self-isolate at home.

The council said it was working with Forza and Public Health England to try to limit the spread of the virus.

The factory remains operational as most of the workers who tested positive work the same shift, the company said.

Forza Foods is based on Devilliers Way and employs over 1,000 people.

A spokesman for Asda said: “Keeping colleagues and the local community safe is our key priority and as soon as we became aware some colleagues had tested positive we alerted the relevant authorities.

"The number of colleagues that have tested positive represents just 1% of the total workforce at the site and almost all are employed on one particular shift."

Asda said it was working with Wakefield Council and Public Health England to isolate and test all workers on that shift as a precautionary measure.

"The local authority and Health and Safety Executive both inspected the site this week and confirmed they are satisfied with the safety precautions we have put in place," it added.

A man wielding a gun has been involved in two "connected" incidents in Bradford city centre, police say.

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Officers were called to Centenary Square at about 19:30 on Saturday 20 June after reports of a man being seen carrying a gun and a hammer in the direction of the Alhambra Theatre.

A man was located by officers and searched but "to no gain", according to West Yorkshire Police.

Then, at about 19:50 that evening, police received a call from a shop on Sunbridge Road, where a "disturbance" had taken place involving a man with a gun who subsequently ran off.

A 38-year-old man was later arrested in connection with the two incidents, which police believe are linked, and was bailed pending further inquiries, officers say.

Anyone who saw what happened, or who has information about either incident, is being asked to contact police.

A man has been seriously injured in an explosion on a street in West Yorkshire.

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It happened at about 13:40 this afternoon on Ings Mill Avenue, Clayton West, Huddersfield, according to the fire service.

A man was seriously burned in the explosion, which is believed to have happened inside a van, and a fire then engulfed a nearby house and garage.

The injured man was taken to hospital by air ambulance.

Inquiries into the cause of the explosion are ongoing, police say.

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Several kilometres of cable have been stolen from a solar farm in North Yorkshire, police have said.

The theft happened at the Boscar Grange Solar and Energy Farm outside Easingwold between 21:30 on Friday 26 June and 04:30 on Saturday 27 June.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw suspicious vehicles travelling along or using the lay-by near Boscar Grange Farm between those times to get in touch.

Anyone else with information which could help officers with their investigations is also being asked to contact North Yorkshire Police.

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A third person has been arrested in connection to two shootings in Sheffield earlier this week.

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Police were called to Errington Avenue, Arbourthorne, just before 21:45 on Tuesday to reports of shots being fired.

A few minutes later, a second shooting was reported nearby on Aylward Road.

A 22-year-old man from Sheffield was arrested this morning on suspicion of attempted murder, police say.

It comes after a 20-year-old man was arrested last night in Retford, Nottinghamshire, on suspicion of attempted murder.

A 24-year-old woman, from Sheffield, was also arrested last night on suspicion of attempted murder.

All three remain in custody, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Ch Insp Paul Murphy said: "This investigation is moving at a fast pace and I would like to thank our communities for their support."

Anyone with information about the incidents is being asked to get in touch with police.

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