More than 70 workers have tested positive for coronavirus at a vegetable farm in Herefordshire during the harvesting season.
Herefordshire Council and Public Health England told The Hertfordshire Times a spike in Covid-19 cases in the area was due to an outbreak at AS Green and Co in Mathon, near Malvern.
The outbreak has occurred during the harvest season when around 200 workers live in mobile homes on site.
Public Health England (PHE) Midlands has asked all 200 key workers to self-isolate as a precaution and the council is arranging food supplies for those on site.
Katie Spence, PHE Midlands Health Protection Director said the testing results showed a "significant percentage of positive cases" despite the individuals being asymptomatic, meaning they weren't showing symptoms of the disease.
“A small number of workers became symptomatic earlier this week and they and a few close contacts among the workforce were tested initially and found to be positive," said Ms Spence in a statement on Herefordshire Council's website.
"In line with NHS guidance, affected individuals were asked to self-isolate for seven days, with their households and close contacts asked to isolate for 14 days.
“As we have seen a global trend of large food producers being subject to outbreaks, as a precautionary measure, the decision was made to test the entire workforce."
The key workers living on site at the farm are employed to carry out picking and packing work which the council says is vital to the UK food supply chain and local economy.
A spokesperson for AS Green said: "Our staff are our priority, they are hard-working key workers helping us provide food for the country during these unusual times.
"We contacted PHE and we are working closely with them and Public Health at Herefordshire Council to prevent the spread of Covid-19.”
According to AS Green's website, the company supplies major retailers including Asda, Aldi, M&S, Tesco and Sainsbury's.
"Public Health England advises that it is very unlikely Covid-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging, so shoppers can remain confident buying British fruit and veg," said AS Green in a statement on its website.
“Our site is currently closed for all visitors and with the assistance of the various bodies no workers are being permitted to leave our site and are receiving the required support at our site."
AS Green and Co said it had put in place a number of infection control measures to reduce the risk of staff contracting coronavirus.
Workers were encouraged to wash their hands regularly, maintain social distancing in communal social areas and in the indoor packaging area, and PHE Midlands said personal protective equipment was provided for staff where applicable.
Following the Pick for Britain campaign – an initiative to bring together UK workers and farmers together to prevent crops rotting in the ground during the pandemic – the farm said it had received more than 300 applications.
On the firm’s website, it says workers are expected to share accommodation at Rook Row Farm, while there is a recreational building with a pool table, dart board and TV for all employees.
Karen Wright, Director of Public Health for Herefordshire, added: “While Herefordshire is the first to experience an outbreak of this kind, this is not unexpected.
"Our priority is to protect the health and wellbeing of all residents in our community.
"Prompt testing on the farm has allowed us to understand transmission and control the spread of infection.
"We continue to support the farm management, their workers – who form an important part of our local economy, and the local community through this challenging time. Anyone who has a fever, persistent dry cough, or loss or change in their sense of taste or smell should call 119 or go online to arrange a test.”