Filipino Diplomat At United Nations' New York Headquarters Has Coronavirus, Showed Symptoms After Attending Meeting

A Filipino diplomat is the first known case of coronavirus at the United Nations in its New York headquarters.

In a statement Friday, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that the female diplomat was one of the officials at the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York. The department added that “necessary health and safety protocols have been implemented.”

Philippines acting U.N. Ambassador Kira Azucena too confirmed the news saying, “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.”

The diplomat reportedly began showing symptoms Tuesday, a day after she attended a meeting at the UN headquarters.

"The following day, Tuesday, March 10, she came down with flu-like symptoms and, in accordance with the Mission’s office protocol, did not report for work that day and saw her doctor. She tested positive for flu and was prescribed Tamiflu. She got the call today that she tested positive for COVID-19," an official statement by the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York stated, adding that the diplomat was under isolation but in good condition.

Meanwhile, DFA Assistant Secretary Eduardo Menez said the Philippine Center in New York was temporarily shut down.

"The Philippine Center on 5th Avenue was shut down for disinfecting process and personnel (are) on self-quarantine," he said. There are reportedly 12 diplomats at the Filipino mission.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York has also temporarily stopped all its consular operations.

Confirming the news, Consul General Claro Cristobal said, "Following standard operating procedure, Consulate General officers and staff will self-quarantine for the protection of the community. As a result of this development, PCGNY suspends its operations until further notice.”

The World Health Organization announced Wednesday that coronavirus also known as COVID-19, which has killed over 4,000 people, is officially a pandemic.