BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Chinese authorities are investigating a Biogen statistician who allegedly flew to China while sick, the Boston Globe reports.
Biogen, a Cambridge based company, hosted the meeting associated with the most cases of coronavirus in Massachusetts.
37-year-old Jie Li, of Belmont, reportedly flew to China while sick just as Biogen was beginning to transition staff to work from home. She used drugs to cover up her fever for airport testing.
After learning about her trip to China, Biogen fired Li.
"We can confirm that Ms. Li was a U.S Biogen employee who made the personal decision to travel to China without informing the company and ignoring the guidance of health experts," Biogen said in a statement to WBZ NewsRadio. "This individual behavior does not comply with Biogen’s values. "
At least 97 cases of coronavirus have been connected to a Biogen conference at Long Wharf last month.
Although Li did not attend that conference, she came into contact with someone who did.
Earlier this month, Li apparently called emergecy services about experiencing flu-like symptoms, and asked to be transferred to a hospital to get tested for coronavirus, before eventually saying she would drive herself.
Two days later, the state department of public health was told there was someone in Belmont who tested positive for COVID-19, however when they tried to contact Li, she had already left.
Li faces charges and possibly up to seven years in prison in China.
WBZ NewsRadio's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App
(Getty Images)