Formula 1: Pirelli staff infected with coronavirus

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Formula 1 tire manufacturer from Italy, Pirelli said an employee in Australia contracted the new coronavirus.

"Pirelli have confirmed one of their F1 personnel, on the ground in Melbourne following the Australian Grand Prix weekend, has tested positive for the coronavirus," Formula 1 said on its website on Monday.

The Milan-based company stated that the Australian health authorities are now applying the necessary procedures and "this person has not had any contact with third parties that requires special preventive measures to be taken for other people."

Pirelli is monitoring the situation.

On March 10, an employee from Pirelli's Settimo Torinese factory in Italy was infected with coronavirus, the firm announced on its website.

Italy on Monday reported 349 new deaths from coronavirus, raising the total number of victims in the country to 2,158.

A Formula 1 team, McLaren Racing announced last week that it withdrew from the Australian Grand Prix of 2020 Formula 1 after a team member was tested positive for the new coronavirus.

The member was self-isolated immediately after showing symptoms and would be treated by local healthcare authorities, said McLaren Racing team.

The opening race of 2020, the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled amid coronavirus fears.

The virus emerged in Wuhan, China last December, and has spread to almost 150 countries and territories, according to the World Health Organization, which declared the outbreak a pandemic.

Out of nearly 184,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 7,000, while almost 80,000 patients have recovered, according to Worldometer, a website that compiles new case numbers.