For information only - not an official document

UNIS/VIC/229
25 March 2020

Message from the main Vienna-based United Nations organizations (VBOs)

VIENNA, 25 March (UN Information Service) - This is an important message from the Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service regarding COVID-19:

There are now six confirmed COVID-19 cases in the VIC community.

In addition to the two previously reported cases, there are now three additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 involving staff members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), one at the VIC and two at Seibersdorf. Furthermore, there is a confirmed case involving a staff member at the UN Office at Vienna (UNOV).

Here are the details:

On Tuesday, 24 March, the Austrian authorities confirmed that a person had tested positive for COVID-19, working in the VIC. The person had been working from home for three days prior to the onset of symptoms, and a risk assessment conducted by Austrian authorities and VIC Medical Service has determined that because of the remote working, there is no additional risk of exposure to other personnel. He is under observation in the hospital with mild to moderate symptoms.

On Wednesday, 25 March, the Austrian authorities confirmed that two people had tested positive for COVID-19, working in Seibersdorf Laboratories. They had been in separate self-quarantine since returning from the same risk area, and a risk assessment conducted by the Austrian authorities and VIC Medical Service has determined that there is no additional risk of exposure to other personnel.

On Tuesday, 24 March, the authorities confirmed that a UNOV staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. He is doing well at home with mild symptoms. The person had been working from home for nine days. Close contact tracing was conducted by Austrian health authorities and identified two contact persons for observation. A risk assessment conducted by Austrian authorities and VIC Medical Service has determined that due to working from home, there is no risk of exposure to other personnel.

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For further information, please contact:

Martin Nesirky
Director, UNIS Vienna
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-5676
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5676
Email: martin.nesirky[at]un.org   

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