Sumitomo takes preventative action after another 2 employees test positive for Covid-19

Sumitomo Dunlop released the following media statement as an update after three employees tested positive for Covid-19 during the course of last week…

Last week, Sumitomo Rubber SA (Sumitomo Dunlop) received results from the La Verna Medical Centre in Ladysmith that three staff who entered the company have tested positive for Covid-19.

This after less than two weeks of re-opening in level 4 lockdown status. In light of this, we worked very closely with the Department of Employment & Labour (DoL), and have come to a decision to close the Ladysmith site for the next seven days.

We have begun working on extended measures in our protocols and will do this with the Department of Health (DoH), as we have determined that these cases did not display the common symptoms at the time of testing and screening. Broad prevention of the virus is possible and necessary; however, predicting the virus is near impossible.

Both departments have also been very proactive in their investigations and expressed satisfaction with our response and timing to the incidents.

As much as we have planned screening and prevention methods for what we know about the virus and the transmission, we have found that greater measures need to be taken into account.

As soon as we were notified of all three cases, contact tracing was done and all relevant employees have been self-quarantined, and are undergoing testing.

Also read: Sumitomo Dunlop takes swift action after ‘Covid-19 positive’ case in Ladysmith

The plant also initiated disinfection and sanitization, with great care being taken to ensure that all hygiene protocols and activities are addressed for further prevention and detection in the factory. This was in addition to the current disinfection and sanitization protocols already implemented.

The current status of our staff in Ladysmith:
– Three cases positive;
– 13 direct contacts in quarantine (6/13 test results are negative thus far and 7/13 pending).

The company clinic has been very quick and attentive to the situations we have faced, and thus far the screening measures have proved effective in identifying where testing is necessary.

In the coming week, we will be working with DoL and DoH to establish the new enhanced measures in order to ensure that the health and safety of our employees remain paramount.

The company has conscientiously closed operations in Ladysmith for the next seven days and will assess its readiness to re-open at the end of the coming week.

In many ways, we have all been affected by Covid-19. Our top priority has always been the well-being of our employees, partners, customers and communities.

• The public is advised to call the coronavirus hotline on 0800029999 with any suspected cases of corona, or to report or obtain information relevant to the pandemic.
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