Intel's 7nm Fab Construction Crew Hit by COVID-19 Outbreak

Intel
(Image credit: Intel)

Construction of Intel's 7nm-capable fab near the town of Leixlip in County Kildare, Ireland, was recently hit by a COVID-19 outbreak as approximately 70 out of 5,000 workers were infected. Intel and the Ireland's Department of Health are monitoring the situation and for now have no plans to halt the development.  The Irish publication RTE first reported the news.

Unlike the majority of other building projects in Ireland, the construction of Intel's leading-edge fab near Leixlip was not stopped because of the pandemic and seasonal outbreaks, as the multi-billion dollar project is hugely important both for Ireland and Intel. Intel said that the situation remains under control and the construction remains operational. 

It is difficult to predict how the COVID-19 outbreak at the site could affect construction schedule. Meanwhile, if the building is not complete on time, Intel and its equipment partners will have to store production equipment for the fab. This is not particularly easy as tools like EUV scanners have to be installed by third-party employees that have their own schedules that involve setting up tools for other semiconductor companies. 

(Image credit: Intel)

"We are working to support our construction team in whatever way we can – to understand what has happened in this situation and how it can be addressed with corrective measures," a spokesperson for Intel told RTE. "For all confirmed cases, contact tracing was conducted and any other workers who may have been exposed have been required to self-quarantine and monitor their health. Additional testing of workers at the construction site is being carried out and any affected areas are subject to deep cleaning and disinfection. We are strictly adhering to the advice of the public health authorities." 

The People Before Profit Employment organization heavily criticized the decision not to halt development, called the incident a mass outbreak, and said that there had been over 150 infection cases. The group has demanded that construction to be halted and full testing to be carried out. 

The Health and Safety Authority has not yet ordered to halt the country's largest development project ahead of the planned reopening of all construction by May 4.

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Anton Shilov
Contributing Writer

Anton Shilov is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends.

  • InvalidError
    It was only a matter of time before covid got into fab construction crews. It got in just about everything else.
    Reply
  • watzupken
    Intel just can't shake off issues that will impact their new nodes. I don't think this is in their control, but that's unfortunate.
    Reply
  • dalek1234
    Covid infections are everywhere. Intel having them too is not surprising.

    In a few years time, when 7nm is delayed, Intel will be able to say "We are not at fault. it's because of Covid!".

    I kid, I kid.....not
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    People Before Profit are a socialist political party. Not an employment organization.

    From your local apolitical Irishman! (y)
    Reply
  • Co BIY
    Break out the bunny suits. 70 workers out of 5000 is not too bad. 1% of the workforce out for 14 days with a cold. Management headache mostly.

    Pretty sure they'll be able to cope.
    Reply