Universal Music Group CEO hospitalized after testing positive for coronavirus
Sir Lucian Grainge, Universal Music Group‘s chairman and CEO, has been hospitalized following a positive test for coronavirus, Variety reports. The diagnosis comes just weeks after Grainge’s 60th birthday party, where the music mogul mingled with everyone from Apple’s Tim Cook to industry insiders such as legendary artist manager Irving Azoff. Although UMG has yet to comment, the music executive is currently undergoing medical treatment at Los Angeles’ Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
In a memo leaked from UMG’s Santa Monica office last week, however, Billboard learned that Universal Music Group is “deep cleaning and disinfecting” its Los Angeles offices, while still trying to temper panic surrounding the crisis. Read excerpts from the leaked memo below.
“[Those who] may have been in close contact in the last 14 days with the UMG employee who has a confirmed case of COVID-19.”
“We understand that everyone is concerned for their own health as well as that of their co-workers, family, friends and our sick colleague,” the memo reads. “Our best understanding is that even if you were in the same indoor environment, but not in close contact with the affected employee, your risk level is low under the CDC framework. For further advice as to what steps are recommended by the CDC, please refer to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html.
In the meantime, please know that we are taking this matter very seriously. We are arranging for a deep cleaning and disinfection as soon as possible, and we have reached out to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for further guidance.”
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