Did the deceased United passenger have a Covid-19?

It looks like a passenger who fell ill on a United flight and died last week was caught by a Covid-19.

United Airlines is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to warn passengers from recent flights of possible exposure to Covid-19, according to Reuters.

Last Monday, on flight 591 from Orlando to Los Angeles, there was what looked like a heart attack. The plane landed in an emergency in New Orleans, where the passenger was taken to hospital and died, United told Reuters.

Believing the man had died of a heart attack, the airline gave passengers the option to continue with their travel plans on the same plane or later flight. Local news reports in New Orleans also reported a heart attack.

At the same time, several passengers were on the same flight live tweeting the experience. Some alleged that the passenger’s wife told EMTs that he had tested positive for Covid-19. Other outlets, including a Miami relative NBC, said travelers had heard the woman say her husband “had shown symptoms of the disease, including loss of taste and smell. ”

Yesterday, United officials confirmed that the passenger had Covid-19 symptoms but none confirmed that he was positive Covid-19 or that his death was caused by Covid-19, it was reported USA today.

“The CDC is currently gathering information and taking place in accordance with our normal procedures to determine whether further public health action is appropriate. To protect the privacy of the individual, we do not disclose this information to the public, “the agency told Reuters in an emailed statement.

Prior to boarding, all passengers completed a pre-flight form confirming that they had not tested positive for Covid-19 and had no signs of infection. “It appears the passenger misidentified this requirement,” according to United.

The event raises questions about the airline’s industry’s reliance on pre-flight health questionnaires, which rely on the honor system. To board the aircraft, passengers do not have to provide proof such as a negative Covid-19 test or, most importantly, even a temperature test.

On Wednesday, United announced a new program to collect passenger contact information for all international and domestic flights to allow the CDC to communicate more quickly in real time. The new venture is not necessary, however. Passengers can opt in voluntarily and share their email or phone information, or they can opt out.

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