By Michelle Nichols
UNITED NATIONS, March 12 (Reuters) - A female diplomat from
the Philippines mission to the United Nations tested positive
for coronavirus on Thursday, according to a note sent to U.N.
missions, making the woman the first known case at the world
body's New York headquarters.
"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," wrote Philippines acting U.N.
Ambassador Kira Azucena in a message seen by Reuters.
According the online U.N. directory of diplomatic staff,
there are about 12 diplomats at the Filipino mission, which is
on 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
The sick diplomat represented the Philippines in the U.N.
General Assembly's legal affairs committees. Azucena said the
diplomat was last at U.N. headquarters on Monday for about half
an hour when she was asymptomatic.
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 on Thursday.
The United Nations did not immediately respond to a request
for comment on the case.
The 193-member world body began implementing coronavirus
prevention measures at its Manhattan headquarters this week.
A two-week conference on women's rights was cut to one day,
several other planned large conferences canceled, most smaller
meetings cut, U.N. missions asked to limit the number of
diplomats they send to meetings, and at least half the several
thousand U.N. staff who normally work in the building will be
working from home by next week.
The World Health Organization has described the coronavirus
outbreak as a pandemic. The virus, which has been deadly for
some people, broke out in China's Wuhan city late last year and
has so far infected some 125,000 people from 118 countries and
territories. According to a Reuters tally it has killed 4,700.