Employee at Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah tested positive for coronavirus
Gulfstream Aerospace confirmed one of its Savannah-based employees tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a Friday news release from the company.
The employee is receiving medical care and those who worked in the same area or had close contact with the person have been notified and asked to self-quarantine and self-monitor, the release said.
All the company’s facilities are still open and operating because aviation has been deemed a critical infrastructure by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber & Industrial Security Agency.
According to the release, Gulfstream has increased cleaning in its facilities, limited company travel, implemented screenings, and disinfected incoming and outgoing aircraft. It has also implemented social distancing practices in all work areas. Employees are also using personal protection equipment throughout the manufacturing facilities.
“We continue to closely monitor this situation and will implement additional measures as necessary to protect our employees, customers, suppliers and communities,” the release said.
An earlier news release confirmed another Gulfstream employee who works in the Dallas Love Field facility had also tested positive for coronavirus.
A June 2019 Forbes report said the company employs 98,600 people worldwide.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
