LONDON

The HSBC research center in London’s business hub Canary Wharf was evacuated Thursday afternoon after an employee was confirmed to have coronavirus.

The bank asked 100 people to go home after the discovery and a deep cleaning process was ordered at the tenth floor of an HSBC tower.

“We have been informed that one of our employees at 8 Canada Square has been diagnosed with COVID-19. This colleague is under medical supervision and has self-isolated,” the HSBC said in a statement.

“We are working closely with the health authorities.”

The statement said the bank is “deep-cleaning the floor where the colleague worked and shared areas of the building.”

It said: “Colleagues on that floor, and others who came into contact with him, have been advised to work at home.

“Based on medical and official advice the building remains open and operates as normal. Our first priority and concern is the health of our employees and customers -- and we are encouraging our colleagues to monitor their health carefully and stay at home or call a doctor if they feel unwell.”

On Wednesday, the bank sent home 20 employees from its global banking department after an employee had contact with someone who developed coronavirus symptoms, according to local media.

The number of patients infected with coronavirus in the U.K. is 90. No deaths have been reported by health officials so far.