TWELVE people in the same workplace have been self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

The staff all work at AIM Altitude, which makes aircraft cabin interiors at Bournemouth Airport.

The company said two of the staff who had been taken ill had recovered and were back at work.

A statement from the business said: “AIM Altitude’s first priorities are to protect the health and safety of its staff and help to prevent the transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

“In line with all manufacturing businesses, rigorous risk assessments have been carried out to ensure that AIM Altitude complies with all guidance, including Public Health England recommendations and regulations. Where possible, office-based staff are working from home.

“From the start of 2020 there were no confirmed cases of Covid-19 within the business, until October 2020.

“It is believed that the first three cases were contracted outside the business and that the first possible transmission within the business was just over one week ago. Public Health England has been made aware and is providing support.

“To date, there are 12 members of staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 and have self-isolated; no one is currently in hospital. The first two staff who contracted Covid-19 have fully recovered and are now both back at work.

“All appropriate measures have been put in place and AIM Altitude continues to review the situation daily.”

AIM Altitude describes itself as one of the leading global suppliers of cabin interiors to top airlines and manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus.

Previously called AIM Aviation, it opened new headquarters and a cabin interiors facility at the airport’s Aviation Business Park in 2016.

The company, which has three other sites in the UK, employs around 900 people and had a turnover of £100million in 2018-19.