After the unfortunate death of a passenger on a United flight last Monday, reports are emerging that other passengers on the plane could have been infected with COVID-19. Initially, the death was only classified as a medical emergency. Links to the virus came later. Now, another passenger on the flight has become symptomatic.[caption id="attachment_129045" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Fears are mounting after a passenger died onboard a United flight. Other passengers are now testing positive for COVID-19. Photo: Getty Images[/caption]United made news last week after a passenger on flight UA591 from Orlando to Los Angeles. The incident caused the plane performed an emergency landing in New Orleans. The passenger was unfortunately pronounced dead at the airport. However, United issued a statement saying it could not confirm the death was related to COVID-19.However, another passenger on the same flight has now taken to Twitter to say he is showing symptoms of the virus. He also claims he gave the now-deceased man CPR in an attempt to resuscitate him. The passenger, named Tony Adalpa, claimed two other passengers also attempted chest compressions.

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Social media reports

In his series of tweets, Mr Adalpa claimed that the man’s wife did not say that he was positive for the virus, only that he was due to be tested upon arrival in LA. Reportedly, she later confirmed he was experiencing shortness of breath before boarding the flight. According to social media reports, he had also lost his sense of taste and smell up to a week before flying.

Mr Adalpa went on to say that he had not been contacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or by United to warn him that he may have been exposed to the disease.

Despite this, United has now confirmed that the CDC reached out to the airline for information on the incident. FoxNews quoted a statement from the airline as saying,

“Now that the CDC has contacted us directly, we are sharing requested information with the agency so they can work with local health officials to conduct outreach to any customer the CDC believes may be at risk for possible exposure or infection.”

The CDC program

The CDC is already working with United to implement a contact-tracing program. The program began last week. Passengers will be asked to provide information such as contact details and locations to make it easier to contact passengers who may have been exposed. The program is voluntary, but it could be implemented more widely in the coming weeks if it proves to be successful.

At the time of the incident, it was thought the man had a heart attack, which caused him to stop breathing. As a result, his seat on the Boeing 737-900 was quickly wiped down by crew, and the plane then carried on to Los Angeles.

Many passengers have taken to social media in outrage, suggesting they should have at least found a replacement plane, saying that the wife mentioned his condition while still on the plane. The CDC has requested a copy of the manifest for the passengers on the flight. No doubt wishing their contact-tracing program was already up and running on every flight.

What do you think of this incident? Do you think the contact-tracing program will make a difference? Should United have reacted differently? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the situation.