The Asian Development Bank will shut off its Manila headquarters beginning Thursday for cleaning and disinfecting, after one of its visitors tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Bank operations will continue with ADB staff working from home but it was uncertain when the compound will reopen.
“The safety of staff, visitors to the Bank, and their families is of utmost importance to us. We are providing support to staff who interacted with the visitor,” said Deborah Stokes, ADB Vice President for Administration and Corporate Management in a statement.
ADB has over 2,500 employees from over 50 countries. Its headquarters is in the financial district Ortigas in Pasig city.
Last February, ADB approved $2 million in new funding to boost efforts to contain the global spread of the new coronavirus strain, including funding for the developments for improved monitoring in rural areas and laboratory equipment for rapid testing.
The Philippines has recorded, as of Wednesday afternoon, 49 positive cases of COVID-19, from a new strain of coronavirus that started in Wuhan City, China.
COVID-19 may be fatal for the elderly, the immunocompromised, and those with underlying medical condition but 80 percent of cases globally showed a high chance of recovery "without needing special treatment," according to the World Health Organization.
WHO said COVID-19 symptoms include fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.