Medical screener at LAX airport tests positive for coronavirus

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/medical-screener-lax-airport-tests-positive-coronavirus-n1149986

The person last worked at LAX on Feb. 21, said DHS, which also said the medical professional had worn the proper protective gear while working.

March 4, 2020, 4:14 PM EST

By Laura Strickler and Andrew Blankstein

WASHINGTON — A medical professional who conducted passenger screenings at Los Angeles International airport tested positive for the coronavirus late Tuesday night, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

The person last worked screening air travelers for illness on Feb. 21, said DHS, which also said the medical professional had worn the proper protective gear while working.

"Late last night, DHS headquarters was alerted to a situation where one of our contracted medical professionals conducting screenings at LAX international airport had tested positive for COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus," said the statement. "This individual is currently under self-quarantine at home with mild symptoms and under medical supervision. Their immediate family is also under home quarantine."

According to DHS, the individual began to exhibit cold-like symptoms on Saturday and visited a primary care doctor Sunday, where the person received a test for COVID-19, which came back positive.

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😲😬

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Exposed at another time?

[hlthe2b]

2. Very likely underscores how easy it is to self-contaminate--likely while wearing or removing

mask & gloves. It is really easy to do when distracted or busy.

[cwydro]

4. Thinking that too.

Or in a locker room where they all garb up.

This thing is just getting started.

[getagrip_already]

3. most of us are going to get it sooner or later.....

It's in many communities already. It's just going to continue to spread.

Too little too late.

[dewsgirl]

8. This will become a massive problem when our healthcare

workers become sick and overwhelmed themselves and 1 out of every 5 of us needs oxygen, that will not be available for everyone that needs it.

[Jarqui]

5. And how many others did this poor man infect ...

That's the scary problem.

He probably had that virus by Feb 21 a week before symptoms showed up.

The way to control this may be to shut all people movement down for a month or so. Not a guarantee because maybe some carriers don't ever show symptoms.

[Catherine Vincent]

6. I'm thinking about your local gyms

I definitely wouldn't being going.

[sunonmars]

7. Well that's not gonna end well for a lot of passengers.

[getagrip_already]

9. or flight atendents.. or drivers... or hotel staff.... or wait staff.... or....

The list goes on and on of people who are either in the breathing sphere or are exposed to dirty dishes and utensils.

[GulfCoast66]

10. Looks like they missed one at the airport.