400 people test positive for coronavirus in German meat plant

BERLIN — Authorities in western Germany said Wednesday that 400 people at a large meatpacking plant have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.

The regional health authority in Guetersloh said the new cluster is linked to a slaughterhouse operated by the Toennies Group in nearby Rheda-Wiedenbrueck.

There have been several outbreaks at German abattoirs in recent weeks, prompting the government to impose stricter safety rules for the industry and ban the practice of using subcontractors.

Toennies Group said the slaughterhouse is its largest site and employs over 6,000 staff.