Intel confirms Covid-19 outbreak at Lexlip construction site with 70 cases reported

An Intel spokesperson said that company was now working to support the construction team in whatever way it can 'to understand what has happened in this situation and how it can be addressed with corrective measures'. File Picture: RollingNews.ie

Microchip manufacturer Intel has confirmed an outbreak of Covid-19 at the construction site of its new facility in Lexlip, Co Kildare.

The company has said that approximately 70 cases have been confirmed on the site since Friday, April 16 and that the situation is “fluid”. 

It said that all workers on the site have been notified of the outbreak and health authorities have also been informed.

An Intel spokesperson told the Irish Examiner that the company was now working to support the construction team in whatever way it can "to understand what has happened in this situation and how it can be addressed with corrective measures". 

"Our construction site remains operational with health and safety as the primary consideration at all stages.

"We are strictly adhering to official public health advice and guidance from the Government and our industry," the spokesperson said.

"For all the confirmed cases, contact tracing was conducted and any other workers who may have been exposed have been required to self-quarantine and monitor their health."

Intel has begun additional testing of workers at the construction site, and affected areas are being deep-cleaned and disinfected.

The spokesperson said that, in the interests of the privacy of those affected, it would not be giving specific details of the confirmed cases.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said he had been contacted by a worker on site who raised safety concerns and suggested the number of cases could be even higher.

Intel has invested €5.9bn in the north Kildare campus over the last three years.

Some 5,000 people work for Intel in Ireland - 4,500 in Leixlip, and another 500 in Cork and Shannon.