Seasonal Workers Responsible for at least 130 new Infections in Albacete Spain say Health Officials

TESTS carried out by the Ministry of Health due to the coronavirus outbreak in the settlement of the Las Peñas road camp, have caused the detection of 126 positive cases asymptomatic among seasonal workers who were in quarantine.

The temporary workers have now been confined to seven different locations in the area, spaces which have been assigned by the Albacete City Council and the Community Board, separating the positive cases from the negative ones. Once the confinement in each location is completed, the facilities used will be meticulously disinfected.

Sescam professionals carry out daily control and monitoring of all confirmed cases, as well as negative cases. If they continue to be asymptomatic, positive cases may be discharged from the disease 10 days after the PCR that confirmed the case. Since the outbreak was declared, 31 seasonal workers have already received the all-clear and have been discharged.

The language and the customs of the seasonal workers continue to be some of the barriers that are hindering the resolution of this outbreak. Some are African, Senegalese and others have a dialect that officials have failed to find a translator for.

“That is why the mediation work being carried out by the Red Cross, Doctors of the World and the Collective Association for Immigrant Support (Acaim), as well as the social workers of the Albacete City Council, is being of great help, for a better follow-up of the recommendations that temporary workers must follow during confinement. Everyone must practice hand hygiene, use their masks and social distance themselves,” said a spokesman for the health centre.