THE Bishop of Hereford has pleaded the public to show compassion to the workers quarantined at the Herefordshire farm hit by a coronavirus outbreak.

Some 74 workers at AS Green and Co in Mathon, near Ledbury, are now known to have tested positive for Covid-19.

They have all been told to self-isolate by the authorities, with food and essential supplies being delivered by Herefordshire Council and Public Health England.

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It's been confirmed three workers have left the farm, between Cradley and Bosbury, with one testing positive for coronavirus, but The Rt Revd Richard Jackson has urged people to be compassionate to everyone involved.

READ MORE: Infected worker fled from farm

He said: “The local news of farm workers in Herefordshire going into lockdown is not something that any of us wanted to hear.

“I appeal to people living in the area and beyond to show compassion and understanding. No one is sure about the full reasons for this local outbreak in the virus, though we do know that the pandemic has highlighted inequalities in our society and in general.

“Please join me in praying for those who are unwell and those who are caring for them including all our civic leaders and volunteers who are working around the clock to manage this outbreak and bring reassurance to this situation.”