A CDC contractor who examined passengers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport has just tested positive for COVID-19
Passengers at Los Angeles, California airport, monitored for coronavirus infection.
Photo:
MARK RALSTON / AFP / Getty Images
A medical professional who conducted passenger checks at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday night, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and an internal email obtained by NBC News.
The person last worked to detect diseases in air travelers on February 21, DHS said in a statement, which also said that The medical professional had worn the appropriate protective equipment while working. The internal email described the person as a "medical examiner hired" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports NBC News.
The email also said that "these inspectors are predominantly assigned to the CDC transit hall and some support the inspection of the route on direct flights from China."
In its statement, the DHS said: “Last night, the DHS headquarters was alerted to a situation in which one of our contracted medical professionals performing exams at the LAX International Airport had tested positive for COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus This person is currently under quarantine in the home with mild symptoms and under medical supervision. His immediate family is also under quarantine at home. ”
According to DHS, the individual began to show cold-like symptoms on Saturday and visited a primary care doctor on Sunday and had a COVID-19 test, which tested positive on Tuesday.
The last shift of the individual in LAX was on February 21, more than a week before the onset of symptoms. According to the internal email, the examiner worked at LAX from February 14 to 21 and became symptomatic on February 29.
DHS said it is working to communicate with the individual's coworkers and track contacts.
