Passenger with coronavirus flew from JFK to Rochester while believed to be ‘contagious’

A passenger, now diagnosed with coronavirus, flew from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to another New York airport Saturday while they were possibly contagious, officials announced late Wednesday.

The individual traveled on Delta Flight 4824 on Saturday, which departed JFK airport at 4:05 p.m. and landed at the Greater Rochester International Airport at 5:55 p.m., the Monroe County Department of Public Health said in a press release.

“We believe this individual was contagious while en route from JFK to ROC,” the release states. 

The individual has been in isolation since arriving to Rochester and “close household contacts have been under self-quarantine.” The county health department said it is contacting other “high risk individuals.”

County health officials recommend anyone on the flight or anyone in the Rochester airport between 5:45 and 6:45 p.m. “monitor for symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath.”

This evening, we learned about an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. We believe this individual was contagious while en route from JFK to ROC on Delta 4824 on March 14. The flight departed at 4:05 p.m. from JFK and arrived at 5:55 p.m. in ROC. pic.twitter.com/mj5UFj1OcW

— Monroe County Health Department (@MonroeHealth) March 19, 2020

The individual and two other cases brought the New York county’s total up to 22 as of Wednesday night. The first death in the county was reported Tuesday, a 54-year-old man who worked at Rochester General Hospital, ABC affiliate WHAM reported.

New York as a whole has been hit hard by the virus, with 2,382 confirmed positive cases, according to the state’s health department. The state has the second most deaths in the U.S. with 20 compared to Washington state’s 68, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has taken several actions to limit the community spread of the virus, including limiting the number of employees in workplaces to no more than 50 percent in an order Wednesday. Cuomo has cautioned that the number of cases may not peak for another 45 days. 

Delta spokeswoman Martha Whitt said in a statement that the safety of customers and crew “remain our top priority.”

“With regard to reports of any COVID-19 exposure, we continue to follow all guidelines from the CDC and local health officials,” she said.

–Updated on March 19 at 11:26 a.m.