On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that COVID-19 is officially a pandemic, infecting over 126 000 people worldwide and killing more than 4600 individuals.
The news breaks only hours after Shell reveals that one of its’ staff in the Aberdeen, UK headquarters was tested positive for the virus. The company further advised those who worked closely with the affected individual to self-quarantine at home.
Further North, Equinor confirms one case of the virus above its platform. The Equinor staff, who is stationed at the Martin Linge field had recently been to a high-risk destination in Austria. The staff had been under quarantine since Monday in a move to prevent the spread of the disease and reported mild symptoms on Wednesday. Two more staff were tested following the revelation that they both had also visited high-risk destinations, yet results have yet to be released.
In a move to prevent further spread of the disease, the company has since reduced social meetings and frequent cleaning of common areas. This includes temporary bans on flights to and from platforms until results of the pending test is released. Flight suspension of helicopter flights to the jack-up rig Maersk Intrepid and floating accommodation unit Floatel Endurance, Askepott and Askeladden jack-ups continue to be in place.
According to news from UpstreamOnline, Equinor is still awaiting the release of test results from an individual suspected of contracting the virus. Industri Energi, Norway’s largest offshore union is apparently calling for the state-run company to shut down production temporarily in an attempt to avert the spread of COVID-19.
Source: UpstreamOnline