HSBC clarified online rumors that one of its branch staff had been infected by the recent outbreak of the coronavirus.

The bank responded after images of cleaners with protective gear and a fully evacuated floor were posted on an online forum. Rumors emerged that the employee, located at one of HSBC’s Kowloon-based offices, may have been hit with the deadly pneumonia-like illness believed to be from Wuhan.

According to the bank, this was not the case and the staff involved had caught influenza A instead.

«We noticed social media speculation that an HSBC employee has contracted Wuhan Pneumonia, which is a misunderstanding. We have been informed that an employee has been diagnosed with Type A influenza,» said an HSBC spokesperson, adding that the bank encourages employees to stay home if they feel unwell.

«The wellness of our employees is always a top priority for us.  We have, therefore, conducted thorough cleaning and disinfection of the concerned location, HSBC Centre Level 15.»

Coronavirus

The coronavirus outbreak first began in Wuhan and has since reached the international community with the first case of a U.S.-based infection recently confirmed in Washington. 

The outbreak is raising major concerns not only due to the strength of the virus but the alleged lack of transparency being provided by Chinese authorities. Experts in Hong Kong University claimed that the situation is significantly worse than officially reported and estimates that the virus has reached 20 other mainland cities between January 1 and 17. An Imperial College estimate illustrates an even greater contrast between reality and report claiming that as many as 1,723 had been infected in central China’s Wuhan – a 35-fold difference from the 45 reported cases at the time.