First diplomat at UN headquarters tests positive for coronavirus

A diplomat from the Philippines mission to the United Nations tested positive for coronavirus, 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," Philippines acting U.N. Ambassador Kira Azucena said.

The sick diplomat represented the Philippines in the U.N. General Assembly’s legal affairs committee. Azucena said the diplomat was last at U.N. headquarters on Monday for about half an hour when she was asymptomatic? Reuters reported.

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 added.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Filipino diplomat met with two other diplomats and visited only one U.N. meeting room, which had been cleaned three times since Monday. He said the U.N. medical services was contacting those diplomats.

Several U.N. meetings planned for Friday had been canceled in the wake of the diagnosis, diplomats said.