The first EU official working at the bloc’s Brussels administrative headquarters has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a spokesperson has confirmed.

“We have confirmation of the case,” spokesperson Dana Spinant said, adding that reports about a male official working at the European Defence Agency contracting the virus were true and that they had recently returned from a trip to Italy.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has reportedly cancelled all meetings to be held at its premises until March 13 as a precaution. The agency has also cancelled external meetings until mid-March. 

The supposedly senior EDA official who contacted the coronavirus reportedly met with a group of approximately 30 officials from other EU institutions last week.

Belgian health authorities confirmed a total of five new infections on Tuesday, bringing the total number in the country to 15. However, it has yet to be confirmed if this EU official ranks among them.

All five had recently returned from Italy, according to the FPS Sante public health service. Two cases were residents of Flanders, two from Wallonia and one from Brussels, all presenting with “moderate” symptoms.

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Source: RT