DVLA announces 352 workers have been infected by Covid outbreak at its Swansea offices
- The DVLA has declared a coronavirus outbreak at its Swansea offices
- There have been 352 cases of Covid-19 at the contact centre since September
- Local health board has set up a testing facility to limit spread into community
A coronavirus outbreak has been declared at the DVLA’s offices in Swansea, the agency has said.
Public Health Wales say a total of 352 cases of Covid-19 have been identified among workers at the contact centre since the start of September.
This includes 62 confirmed cases at its contact centre in Swansea Vale, since December 1.
Public Health Wales say a total of 352 cases of Covid-19 have been identified among workers at the contact centre since the start of September
Sion Lingard, consultant in health protection for Public Health Wales, said: ‘Public Health Wales can confirm that NHS Test Trace Protect has been responding to 62 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in employees at the DVLA Contact Centre in Swansea Vale since the 1 December.’
The Swansea Bay University Health Board has now set up a testing facility at the Sandringham Park site from Monday until Wednesday for the entire workforce to be tested.
‘We are all working in close collaboration with our partner agencies and our priority is to reduce the number of cases in this workforce.
‘We would like to encourage all staff at the contact centre to take up the offer of testing available on the site until Wednesday December 23.
‘Finding cases early is key to reducing transmission and risks to those around you. But workers in any workplace may be at risk from infection in social or household settings.’
The DVLA recently warned drivers that the 11-month extension period for expired licences will now end in January.
Having introduced a seven-month extension in June, the scheme was increased to 11 months as the agency continues to buckle under demand for renewals during the coronavirus pandemic.
The DVLA said there have been delays processing applications sent by post due to their work-from-home policy, but its online services have been unaffected and continued to operate as normal throughout the pandemic.