NASA has confirmed that one of its employees has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The employee works at the Ames Research Centre in Silicon Valley.

According to NASA, physical access to the centre has been restricted - and many staff are being told to work remotely - "out of an abundance of caution".

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said: "Limiting personnel at the centre will allow Ames medical personnel and public health officials to determine potential contacts and assess areas that may require additional cleaning and mitigate potential exposure to centre personnel.

"Working with county officials, Ames leadership and medical personnel are working to trace the contacts of the employee and notifying individuals who may have had significant contact with that person."


Only staff who are needed on site to "life, property, and critical mission functions" will be allowed in.

The Ames Research Centre, located at Moffett Field in California, is one of 10 NASA field centres.

It conducts research and development in aeronautics, exploration technology and science.

NASA has also confirmed that three Earth Science airborne missions are being delayed until later this year.

Scientists are warning that even if coronavirus transmissions dip as we head into the spring and summer, such a reduction shouldn't be mistaken for an end to the outbreak.

Instead a reduction of cases during the summer should be seen as a precious opportunity to prepare for next winter, when a new model suggests the virus could infect 100 times more people.

More than 760 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the US so far, and at least 27 people have died.