Royal Mail worker is in self isolation
Employee is understood to have tested positive for coronavirus raising concerns about infection
A ROYAL MAIL worker in Greater Manchester is in self isolation amid coronavirus concerns.
The worker is self isolating ‘as a precaution’ after developing flu like symptoms following a trip to Italy.
The employee is now understood to have tested positive for Covid-19.
Royal Mail would not confirm the colleagues’ role within the organisation, or where they are based.
According to a number of sources however, they are understood to be a postman, based at the South West Delivery Office in Old Trafford.
Royal Mail confirmed that a full clean of the facility where they work has been carried out, but declined to confirm its location.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “A colleague is in self isolation as a precautionary measure after showing flu like symptoms having returned from a trip to Italy.
“Our thoughts are with our colleague and their family. We wish them a speedy recovery.
“We have contacted Public Health England (PHE) to report the case. We are now working alongside PHE to assess the situation in line with statutory guidance.
”Our first priority is the safety of our colleagues, and we take their health and safety very seriously.
“We are keeping them updated and continuing to promote PHE preventative guidance.
“A full clean of the facility took place overnight. As much of the mail as possible is being delivered today, as we continue to work with Public Health England.”
Meanwhile, the public is being told to be prepared, ahead of the potential introduction of ‘social distancing’ policies to contain the spread of the virus.
Public Health England (PHE) has urged members of the public to ‘plan ahead’ if they had to self-isolate at home for a couple of weeks.
As of Saturday, there are 14 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Greater Manchester.
So far, the number of positive cases in Greater Manchester in each borough are:
■ Manchester 3
■ Bolton - 1
■ Bury - 4
■ Stockport - 2
■ Oldham - 2
■ Trafford - 4
■ Wigan - 3
In the UK, as of 7am on Saturday, 206 people had tested positive for Covid-19 – the illness caused by this type of coronavirus – up from 163 cases reported at 9am on Friday. Another Princess cruise ship carrying Britons, the Diamond Princess, was quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama, Japan, last month because of the virus.
Last week, a British tourist who had been on board the ship became the first UK citizen to die after testing positive for the virus. This was followed by confirmation on Friday that a man in his early 80s had become the second person to die in the UK in connection with the disease.
The man, who tested positive for coronavirus and had underlying health conditions, died on Thursday while being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
A colleague is in self isolation as a precautionary measure after showing flu-like symptoms Royal Mail spokesperson