Passengers on a flight to LAX have been notified of a possible exposure to COVID-19 after the passenger’s death on 14 December

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – Los Angeles County Health officials are notifying passengers on a United Airlines flight to LAX that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 after a fellow passenger crashed during the flight, and died of the virus.

United 591 was en route to LA from Orlando on December 14th. He was diverted to New Orleans due to a medical emergency after a passenger suffered what was initially considered a heart attack.

The man died at a hospital.

Last week, a report by Louisiana law firm Jefferson Parish confirmed that the 69-year-old Los Angeles resident died of COVID-19 and acute respiratory failure.

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United Airlines confirmed on December 18 that it had been contacted by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the man.

“At the time of the hijacking, we were informed that he had suffered a cardiac arrest, so passengers were given the option to take a later flight or continue their travel plans,” according to the airline. “Now that the CDC has contacted us directly, we are sharing the requested information with the agency so that they can work with local health officials to inform any client that the CDC believes may be at risk for possible exposure or infection. “.

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The passengers on the flight said that the man’s wife told the paramedics that she had tested positive for COVID-19 and that she was showing symptoms.

United Airlines says passengers must certify that they have no COVID-19 or any symptoms before they are allowed to board.

The flight continued to LA after the man was taken off the plane.

City News Service contributed to this report.