A SECOND worker has died amid a coronavirus outbreak at a food factory, according to a union today.

The GMB union has called for mass testing of employees at the Bakkavor Tilmanstone Salads site near Dover, Kent — and for any worker who is absent due to Covid to be given full pay.

The union said at least 97 workers have ben told to self-isolate at the factory, which produces food for Marks & Spencer.

GMB organiser Frank Macklin said: “Sadly, the Bakkavor factory has now suffered a second Covid-19-related fatality.

“GMB would like to express our deepest sympathies with the employees’ families at this difficult time.

“We have requested that the factory close to allow mass testing of employees and a deep clean of its factory.

“Once this has been done the factory can reopen, with staff returning to work safe in the knowledge every step has been taken to ensure they are working in the safest possible environment.

“We also call on Bakkavor Tilmanstone Salads to pay employees their full salary if they have tested positive for Covid-19 or have to self-isolate. No-one can survive on statutory sick pay alone.

“GMB has now lodged a formal collective grievance on behalf of our members, as we believe the health and safety of our members has been seriously compromised at the factory.”

Bakkavor insisted that it has “fully followed” Public Health England (PHE) guidelines for the duration of the pandemic.

The company said in a statement: “The current status at our Tilmanstone site is that, out of a workforce of over 900, we currently have 65 colleagues off work that have tested positive for Covid-19 and an additional 68 who are self-isolating as a precautionary measure.

An on-site testing programme for all staff will begin next week, it said.