LONDON 9 Mar (ANA) - A TRANSPORT for London worker has tested positive for coronavirus in the capital’s traffic control centre building.

 

Worried staff at Palestra House, in Blackfriars, were told this morning that a colleague had been infected with the deadly virus as the number of UK cases today climbed to 280.

 

But TfL staff were ordered to attend work as usual after the office where the person worked was thoroughly deep cleaned.

 

The building is home to the Surface Transport and Traffic Operations Centre, which monitors traffic congestion, incidents and major events in the capital.

 

The infected patient worked for TfL within the building but not in the control centre itself.

 

A source said: “Staff were only told about the case this morning and were shocked they were still allowed in to the office.

 

“They are worried but bosses have assured them it is safe for them to be there.”

 

There have been 280 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, including 51 in London.

 

Three people have so far died after testing positive for the bug, two men and one woman.

 

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said people are unlikely to be advised to stop using public transport during the outbreak.

 

He said last week: “I don’t foresee a situation where we’re advising people not to use the Tube or public transport, but we review this each day.”

 

TfL said: “We are working closely with Public Health England and are following their advice after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.

 

“The safety of our staff and customers is our top priority, so we are taking all necessary precautions and a deep clean has taken place within the building used by the staff member.”(ANA)

FA/ANA/9 March 2020-----