A FURTHER fourteen workers at Sunderland Nissan are self-isolating after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.

This evening Nissan confirmed that the workers had now begun a period of self-isolation and that it was continuing to follow public health guidelines.

It comes as yesterday the car manufacturer, which employs thousands of people in the North-East, confirmed a staff member had fallen ill.

The staff member later tested positive for Covid-19 prompting a deep clean of the individual's workspace, tools and equipment.

A Nissan spokesman told The Echo: “The safety of the team is our top priority and we will continue to follow all public health guidelines.

“We have worked closely with Public Health England since the confirmed case at the plant. Following their advice, today a further fourteen members of our team will now begin a period of self-isolation.

“We remain in close contact with the team member who was initially taken ill, and who is now recovering at home.

“We have a thorough and comprehensive set of proactive safety measures in place to protect our staff, which we will continue to review in line with public health advice.”