Nike has closed down its office in Sunderland due to a coronavirus alert.
People in hazmat suits were seen entering the sportswear company's offices in Camberwell Way on Wednesday.
The firm has also shut its headquarters in London after a colleague returned from one of the areas hit by the Covid-19 virus.
In a statement released to the Evening Standard, Nike said: “While we have no information indicating any exposure to employees, out of caution we are conducting a deep cleaning of our offices.”
The closure comes just after authorities confirmed the first case in Newcastle as the total number in the country rose to 85 in the biggest increase since the disease entered the UK.
England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said: “As of 9am this morning 32 further patients in England have tested positive for Covid-19 .
“Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed who had recently travelled from recognised countries or from recognised clusters which were under investigation.
“Three additional patients contracted the virus in the UK and it is not yet clear whether they contracted it directly or indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad. This is being investigated and contact tracing has begun.
“The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 80. Following previously reported confirmed cases in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, the total number of UK cases is 85.”
