Twitter closes Seattle office because employee 'likely' has coronavirus

Other major tech companies based on the West Coast - including Google, Microsoft and Facebook - have also urged staff to work from home where possible

Twitter is closing its Seattle office to deep clean after an employee was told by their doctor that they likely have coronavirus.

The company said in a tweet that the Seattle-based employee is awaiting final testing, and has not been at a Twitter office for several weeks, but the office was being closed as a precaution.

"We have notified our employees, contacted the appropriate public health officials and are coordinating appropriately to protect everyone’s health and safety," a subsequent tweet added.

"We will not share any more information about our team member’s identity or medical condition to protect their privacy."

The company, which has its main headquarters in San Francisco, California added: "We’re doing everything we can to support this employee. We continue to strongly encourage all employees globally to work from home if they’re able. Our goal is to minimise contact with others, contain any potential risk and protect everyone’s health and safety."

Other major tech companies based on the West Coast - including Google, Microsoft and Facebook - have urged staff to work from home where possible.