A bin collection staff member in Ramsey has tested positive for Covid-19.
As a result, two more of the town’s refuse collection team are now self-isolating.
One member of the team developed symptoms and subsequently tested positive for the virus.
The other two crew members in the working ’bubble’ have been contact-traced, advised to self-isolate and will also be tested.
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Due to RTC’s Covid working arrangements at this time no other employees have been required to self-isolate.
RTC stated yesterday: ’Following the notification of a potential Covid-19 case the affected team was immediately stood down and staff facilities and refuse vehicles have been deep cleaned as an additional precaution.’
Chairman Andy Cowie commented: ’We are obviously very concerned to hear that one of our employees has contracted the virus and we send our best wishes for a quick recovery.
’At the outset of this and the earlier lockdowns the commissioners implemented a number of service changes to protect its workforce and the public from this virus.
’This included splitting the refuse staff into three separate work teams and the introduction of PPE and cleansing regimes to minimise the risk that the refuse collection service could be impacted by an infection.’
Mr Cowie added that it is not yet known how the infection was acquired but urged self-isolating residents to double bag their rubbish and disinfect their wheelie bin handles: ’We would reiterate our request that households who are self-isolating should double bag any personal refuse and put it aside for three days before placing in the refuse bin.
’We would also request householders, where possible, to continue to disinfect their wheelie bin handles when they place them out for collection and when bringing them back into the curtilage of their property, and encourage everyone to maintain good hygiene practices throughout. This will help to reduce the risk to our staff and ensure our reliable and efficient refuse collection services can continue.’
The commissioners provides weekly household refuse collection to around 3,500 households in Ramsey.
Weekly collections and the additional household collections next week are not expected to be impacted at this time, subject to the outcome of any additional test and tracing.