Health officials are working with United Airlines to contact passengers who were aboard a flight that was diverted following the death of a man aboard who might have tested positive for the coronavirus.
United is reaching out to passengers aboard a December flight from Orlando to Los Angeles that was forced to land in New Orleans following the death of a man whose wife said he tested positive for the coronavirus. The flight received exposure on social media after a woman said a man had died of COVID-19 on her flight.
The four flight attendants who treated the man went into quarantine once United 591 landed at its final destination of Los Angeles. The flight was highlighted on Twitter after a passenger complained that the company was “finna continue this flight,” even though the man’s wife had been reportedly heard saying her husband had the disease.
United officials said they were unable to confirm whether the man had the virus, but they reported that he died of cardiac arrest upon arrival in New Orleans. The company said the man’s wife confirmed he had been “feeling sick” in the weeks leading up to the flight and that he suffered from high blood pressure and respiratory symptoms.
United said it was in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to organize an outreach to passengers who might have been affected.
“We are sharing requested information with the agency so they can work with local health officials to conduct outreach to any customer the C.D.C. believes may be at risk for possible exposure or infection,” a United statement read.
