A passenger on a flight from New York City to Florida tested positive for Covid-19 after he boarded the JetBlue plane.
The man, who was boarding JetBlue flight 253, flew from John F. Kennedy International Airport and reached Palm Beach International Airport in Florida at 8:53 p.m.
According to ABC News, the plane was kept at the airport apron for almost two hours.
During that time, the officials talked with the plane crew and 114 passengers inside the plane, asking them to monitor their medical conditions.
The passengers were requested to watch themselves for coronavirus symptoms but were permitted to leave without any medical inspection.
A passenger who was sitting near the man with coronavirus told WPTV: “The person across the way from me was taken to the back of the plane.
“He was wearing masks and gloves. His wife was sitting in the same row as me and mentioned to others that he wasn’t feeling well.”
The man named Scott Rodman added: “She said he had gotten a phone call with his test results right before we had taken off, implying that he had a positive test but not actually saying it.”
The other people at the plane were updated with the news by Dr. Alina Alonso, the health director at the airport, and were asked to immediately contact the health department if they were having some concerns.
Speaking to the passengers on the flight, Alonso said: “An individual on this flight got a text that he tested positive for the coronavirus.
“He has not been coughing or sneezing or anything on the plane. At this point, you’re free to walk around and move around because, most likely, you’re not going to have anything because there was no activity.
“The way you get this virus is somebody has to cough or sneeze on you.”
JetBlue later issued a statement saying that they won’t be allowing the man to fly any further on JetBlue flights.
The airline also addressed the passengers and told them not to fly or travel if they are feeling any symptoms of the mysterious disease.
The passengers were also strictly asked to delay or cancel their flight if they are waiting for their test results because it can spread the infection to many others.
The statement read: “Last night’s event put our crewmembers, customers, and federal and local officials in an unsettling situation that could have easily been avoided, and as such, this customer will not be permitted to fly on JetBlue in the future.
“Consistent with CDC guidance, we ask all customers who are not feeling well, who believe they may have coronavirus, or who are awaiting test results to avoid travel until they are cleared by a medical professional.”
Palm Beach International Airport reported that they have thoroughly sterilized the area where passengers were made to get off the plane.
Until now, more than 3,000 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the United States, with about 60 deaths reported.
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