A total of 72 workers at a dessert factory in Nottinghamshire have tested positive for coronavirus.

In total, 701 people at Bakkavor in Newark have been tested for the virus according to Nottinghamshire County Council.

Around 1,600 employees are now undergoing on-site testing run by the NHS, with 33 who did test positive have since been able to return to work.

Shona Taylor, business director for desserts at Bakkavor, said: “We understand the importance of the testing and I have been immensely proud of the management team and all the efforts that have been made to ensure we could deliver this for our colleagues.

“The programme has been positively received, and colleagues have been supportive and reassured that every effort is being taken to ensure their safety.”

Jonathan Gribbin, director of Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Bakkavor have been very co-operative and we hope that the testing of their employees will allow us to find out more about where people are acquiring the infection.

“However, we know that not all the cases in Newark are linked to Bakkavor so it is vital that people continue to follow the strict guidance to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 across the whole community.

“People should follow social distancing guidance in full including guidelines about car sharing, washing hands regularly, wearing face coverings, self-isolating and quickly getting a test if symptoms develop.”