Kirkham energy company confirms negative Covid-19 test after health scare

A Fylde coast firm has confirmed a member of staff has been tested for viral illness Covid-19 - but says the test came back negative.
An energy firm in Kirkham says a member of staff has tested negative for Covid-19An energy firm in Kirkham says a member of staff has tested negative for Covid-19
An energy firm in Kirkham says a member of staff has tested negative for Covid-19

Inspired Energy plc, an energy consultancy based at the Progress Business Park in Kirkham, says that after the employee became ill, the firm instructed the staff member and a small number of colleagues in close proximity to to work from home for a minimum of 24 hours.

The person who was feeling unwell was also referred by Public Health England for Covid-19 testing.

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Mark Dickinson, CEO for the firm said: "Inspired Energy plc is closely monitoring the Covid-19 situation and is following all official government guidance and advice.

"We have issued such guidance and advice to all staff.

"The member of staff who was referred by Public Health England for COVID-19 testing came back with a negative result.

"The small percentage of staff who, as a precaution, were instructed to work from home have now returned to the office."

Meanwhile, the third and latest confirmed case in Chorley is understood to work for another firm on the Fylde coast.

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The person had been in contact with an existing Chorley case, rather than through travel themselves.

This takes the total number of confirmed cases in the county to five, with two cases previously confirmed in South Ribble.

The Fylde firm is also contacting their staff, due to a link with this latest case.

A team from Public Health England is working with the company to identify any staff who may need to take further action. In some cases they may need to self-isolate, while for other people the current advice is to be aware of signs of symptoms before taking this action.

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Lancashire County Council's Director of Public Health and Wellbeing, Dr Sakthi Karunanithi said: "Our advice remains the same. We can all still be vigilant and do the right things to help ourselves.

"Good handwashing is really important. Protect yourself and your family by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.

"This person's close contacts are being followed up by Public Health England. So if you have not been contacted by Public Health England, you don't need to do anything beyond following the general advice given to the public.

"We continue to work closely with colleagues in the NHS and Public Health England to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and protect people in Lancashire."

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You can find advice on how you can protect yourself online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

You can find information on the county council's Coronavirus page about how to protect yourself - www.lancashire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/your-health-and-wellbeing/coronavirus/

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