Cork office building closes as 'precaution' after individual in 'close contact' with Covid-19 patient
An office building in Cork city is in lock-down for a precautionary deep-clean after reports that a worker in the building was in “close contact” with a confirmed Covid-19 patient.
The staff of tenants of 85 South Mall have been asked to stay out of the building for today at least while the deep-clean continues
One of the affected tenants, KPMG, said the deep-clean was was recommended by the landlord.
In a statement this lunchtime, a spokesperson for the company said: “We understand that an individual who works in the building has been in “close contact” with an individual who has been confirmed with Covid 19.
“As a precautionary measure, we have asked all our staff in our Cork office to work from home today.
“The health and wellbeing of our people and the wider community is our primary concern and we will continue to monitor the situation in conjunction with our landlord and the health authorities.”
Employees at Forcepoint, a cybersecurity firm operating from the same premises, were also asked to work from home today while the building was deep cleaned.
But the company expects to be open for business as usual tomorrow.
A spokesperson for Forcepoint said: “The building management team of Eighty5 South Mall, Cork, closed the office today as a precautionary measure.
"A non-Forcepoint employee working in the building had come into contact with someone later diagnosed with COVID-19. The building management team will be conducting a deep clean of the offices and communal areas.
"Forcepoint employees were asked to work from home today. The Forcepoint offices are expected to be open for business as usual tomorrow, Tuesday 10 March.
"Ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees is Forcepoint’s top priority, and we continue to monitor the situation closely, taking all appropriate steps to protect our people and the local communities they work within.”
- The HSE have developed an information pack on how to protect yourself and others from coronavirus. Read it here
- Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus who has been in close contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days should isolate themselves from other people - this means going into a different, well-ventilated room alone, with a phone; phone their GP, or emergency department - if this is not possible, phone 112 or 999 and in a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) phone 112 or 999
