ALMOST 50 coronavirus cases have been linked to a Bala bakery, Gwynedd Council has confirmed.

The Denbighshire Free Press previously reported that an incident management team has been set up to control the outbreak at the town’s Cake Crew production facility based at the Enterprise Park.

The team is made up of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Gwynedd Council, Public Health Wales and Shropshire Council.

The multi-agency team is working closely with the company to control the situation.

Speaking on Friday, a Gwynedd Council spokesman confirmed that a total of 48 COVID-19 cases have been identified amongst the Cake Crew workforce of 330 people.

They said: “All staff who have tested positive or who have been identified as contacts are being asked to self-isolate to help stop the spread of the virus.

“Everyone who is affected are being contacted by the local Test, Trace and Protect teams and provided with additional advice for themselves, their household and other contacts.”

The council adds that one pupil from Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn has also tested positive for COVID-19 and is linked to the Cake Crew outbreak.

The spokesman said: “They, along with all relevant contacts from the school, are self-isolating. The school has acted promptly and are working with the local Test, Trace and Protect team to offer advice to the relevant families.”

It was stressed that anyone who develops any COVID-19 symptoms is urged to self-isolate and arrange a test immediately.

Addressing the recent outbreak on Friday at the Welsh Government’s press briefing, First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed measures are in place to ensure the outbreak is brought under control as soon as possible.

The Labour MS said: “There is an interdisciplinary team of people led by public health consultants established and it met yesterday [Thursday, April 22].

“There will be an onsite mobile testing unit there from tomorrow and arrangements are in place for twice weekly testing for asymptomatic employees from next week.

“Everything that I’ve seen says to me that the actions that need to be taken are being taken, that the workforce, the employer and the public authorities are jointly engaged in making sure that the outbreak is managed and brought to an end as quickly as it can be.”

At the weekend, a mobile testing facility was established in the town.

A spokesperson for the health board said: “A new walk-in and drive-through testing centre will open in Bala from Saturday, April 24, to make it easier for people in the area to get tested for COVID-19 closer to home.

“The testing centre is located at The Grîn Car Park, Y Bala, opening from 12pm until 4.30pm, seven days a week.”

An appointment for a test can be made by going online to https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/book-a-covid-19-test/ or by phoning 119.