A female diplomat from the Philippines' mission to the United Nations (UN) had tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, becoming the first known COVID-19 case at the UN's headquarters in New York.
Philippines acting UN Ambassador Kira Azucena had sent a note to the UN missions of the sick diplomat case, who represents the Philippines in the U.N. General Assembly's legal affairs committee.
"As of today, the Philippine Mission is in lockdown, and all personnel are instructed to self-quarantine and to seek medical attention should they develop the symptoms. We are assuming that all of us have been infected," she wrote.
The online UN directory of diplomatic staff revealed that there are about 12 diplomats at the Filipino mission.
Azucena stated that the diplomat was last at the headquarters on Monday, for about half an hour, however, she showed no sign or symptoms of infection. She came down with flu-like symptoms on Tuesday and visited her doctor.
"She got the call today that she tested positive for COVID-19," Azucena wrote.
Furthermore, the Philippines Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin shared an update on Twitter about the diplomat's current health, stating that she was "doing well,".
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Filipino diplomat met with two other diplomats and visited only one UN meeting room, which had been cleaned three times since Monday, adding that the UN medical services are contacting those diplomats.
"Several UN meetings planned for Friday had been canceled in the wake of the diagnosis," diplomats revealed.
Furthermore, the intergovernmental organization began implementing coronavirus prevention measures at its Manhattan headquarters this week, including closing off access to the public, and more regular cleaning.
Half the several thousand UN staff who normally work in the building will be working at home by next week.
The World Health Organization has described the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic.
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