Fears of many more Covid-19 cases after infections detected at lithium plant

Several cases of Covid-19 have been detected at a lithium hydroxide plant, forcing a shut down amid fears of a massive outbreak.

Several workers at a West Australian lithium hydroxide plant have become infected with Covid-19, sparking fears of a major outbreak.

Premier Mark McGowan told reporters on Wednesday that WA had recorded 24 new cases overnight, including nine infections that were linked to the Bunbury cluster, taking the overall total to 16.

The other cases were in Perth and one remained unlinked, Mr McGowan said.

Mr McGowan said the nine Bunbury cases were related to Albemarle’s Kemerton Lithium Hydroxide Processing Plant in “one way or another”.

“One contractor in particular has been affected by this outbreak,” he said.

“There are around 30 contractors on site but one contractor and one work area in particular have been affected.

“The area affected has been shut down or closed down.

“All the close contacts in the same work unit have been requested to get tested and isolate.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan gave the update on Wednesday. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Mr McGowan said authorities had identified 99 close or casual contacts, with 73 returning a negative result so far.

Given the outbreak in Bunbury, the testing clinic will be extended by two hours.

Earlier, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union state secretary Steve McCartney said there were serious safety concerns for about 600 workers at the plant, with most of them yet to receive a decent response from their boss.

“Workers are fearful that they might contract the virus and take it home to their families,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

“They are being driven to site on crowded buses from accommodation, there has been no visible increase in cleaning and no instigation of split shifts or staggered breaks.

“Some contractors are telling their employees some information, and others have been completely mum.

“They all need to work with unions onsite and health and safety representatives to get this right.”

AMWU state secretary Steve McCartney says workers have serious safety concerns.

Mr McCartney said employers had been complaining about skills shortages but had done nothing to plan ahead to keep their current workers safe.

“They should be required to have Covid plans ready to go ahead of an outbreak, and not be scrambling when it’s already happened,” he said.

‘They can’t complain that the borders are closed when they’ve got no plan themselves.”

NCA NewsWire is seeking comment from Albermarle.

Originally published as Fears of many more Covid-19 cases after infections detected at lithium plant