A postman from Greater Manchester has tested positive for coronavirus – but Royal Mail bosses won’t say whether he went out on his usual round the day he returned to work having travelled to Italy.
The man went to work for a day before self-isolating having developed flu-like symptoms.
He later tested positive for coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
Royal Mail said the man was recovering at home ‘under clinical advice’.
He is understood to be based at the South West Delivery Office in Old Trafford.
Royal Mail said a deep clean of the facility has been carried out.
A spokesman did not confirm or deny whether the postman went on his usual round the day he went to work.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “A colleague who works in one of our [Greater] Manchester sites has been diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus.
“The colleague recently returned from a holiday in Italy.
“They came into work for a day before feeling unwell. They returned home and took medical advice.
“They then tested positive for the virus.
“They remain at home under clinical advice. Our thoughts are with our colleague and their family.
“We wish them a speedy recovery.
“The health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, customers and the communities in which we operate is of paramount importance to Royal Mail.
“We have contacted Public Health England (PHE) to report the case. We are now working alongside PHE to manage the situation in line with their guidance.
“We are keeping colleagues updated and we are continuing to promote PHE preventative guidance. A full clean of the facility has taken place, in line with PHE guidelines.”
As of Tuesday (March 10), there were 23 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Greater Manchester.
A total of 26,261 people have been tested across the country. Of those, 373 have tested positive.
Six patients who tested positive for coronavirus have died.
One of the deceased, a man, died at North Manchester General on Sunday.