WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Friday it has confirmed a staff member at its headquarters in Washington D.C. has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"The staff member is self-isolating and receiving appropriate medical care. We are working with local public health authorities to identify the staff member's close contacts and those who may have been affected," according to an email sent by the IMF press center.
"In light of fast-moving developments related to COVID-19, all headquarters-based staff are advised to work from home until further notice, effective immediately," the email read.
The multilateral lender also announced it has suspended all mission travels to the European countries which have been designated as Level 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in addition to those previously designated, which means only essential travel will be allowed.
The IMF added that it "remains fully operational and stands ready to serve its members."
Last week, the IMF and the World Bank Group said the two multilateral institutions have decided to adapt the 2020 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, scheduled for April 17-19, to "a virtual format."
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic earlier this week, as the virus continues to spread worldwide. About 125,000 coronavirus cases have been reported to the WHO from over 100 countries and regions.
In the United States, 1,629 cases have been confirmed and 41 death reported, according to the latest data from the CDC.
