Two more Apple staff contract coronavirus at Irish headquarters

Apple's European headquarters at Hollyhill, Cork is reported to have two more cases of coronavirus infections, bringing the facility's number to three.

Following one initial confirmed case of coronavirus at Apple's main European campus, in Cork, Ireland, local sources say two more staff members have tested positive for the virus.

The facility was reportedly subjected to a deep clean after the first case, and according to Cork's daily newspaper, The Echo, staff from each of the Hollyhill facility's four main buildings were separated in an attempt to contain the problem.

It is not yet known what role the two newly-infected staff members play at Apple, and the company has yet to comment publicly on these new cases. However The Echo spoke with one Apple employee who has been directed to work from home, and quotes him or her as saying the situation is "alarming."

The news of two more cases comes after Apple emailed employees to say that they were working with Ireland's Health Service Executive, and that HSE believed the risk to other staff is low.

Apple currently employs over 6,000 staff across Ireland, with the great majority based at the Hollyhill, Cork facility.

Separately, Cork health officials have introduced a trial of coronavirus testing for motorists. Near Gurranabraher, around two miles away from Apple's campus, a drive-through test area has medical staff in full protective suits swabbing people through car windows.

Seventy miles to the north of Cork, Limerick's Troy Studios has now halted production on the Apple TV+ drama "Foundation," following the Irish government's introduction of new measures to contain and combat the virus.