A Korean Air flight attendant has tested positive for coronavirus, prompting a scrambling to disinfect aircraft and trace back routes flown.
First reported by Reuters, the unnamed flight attendant was diagnosed earlier this week. That prompted an immediate closure of several Korean Air offices at its hub in Seoul Incheon International Airport, including the crew briefing room.
Korean Air told Business Insider it “is creating a structure to work very closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Korea (CDCK) to prevent the spreading of the virus.”
In furtherance of that goal, Korean Air is:
- disinfecting aircraft
- asking flight attendants to self-quarantine if they show any flu-like symptoms
- installing thermal cameras at Korean Air’s operations locations
South Korea has become an epicenter for the coronavirus, with new 60 news cases and another death reported this morning. Overall, eight deaths and nearly 900 cases have been reported, most being reported in the last week. The U.S. has issued a Level 3 travel warning for South Korea, which discourages all non-essential travel.
Meanwhile, Korean Air has aggravated customers by not offering refunds on non-refundable tickets to or via Korea. While tickets to/from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan purchased before January 28th can be refunded, Korean Air has not loosened its policy for those traveling to South Korea, despite the spread of the virus.
CONCLUSION
I am surprised we have not heard more cases of flight attendants contracting the virus. With flight attendants, in some senses, on the “front line”, I expect more reports of flight attendants contraction of COVID-19.
image: Korean Air
Korea has fcked this up. Is it any surprise a christan old lady was the patient zero.
Christian’s screw everything up. Too bad jesus isn’t the one saving you. You are all running to hospitals to get help science.
I personally think science should not help religious people. Let them pray, use magic herbs and flying carpets. Or publicly state they have no faith in jesus savibg them.
Wow, you sound like a horrible human being.
Good morning to you too! 🙂
Say “Xanax can help my symptoms.”
Repeat 3 times.
Good grief, every comment you post is so hateful – you should be flagged.
Remember hate the sin, not the sinner. Only Steve is a good christan. All you other fake christians need to go back and study the bible.
But my point is if you believe jesus is the one saving why do you rely on science. Or at least state publicly you have no faith that jesus will save you and would rather prefer science. This is not really bad that i am asking. You are already practicing hypocrisy. I am asking you to let go of it. Religious people attribute everything to god. God does nothing. Good and competent people do. Scientists, not preachers and definitely not religious nut jobs.
And its not yours or ANY ones right to judge. Your beliefs is of your OWN. Respect others just as you respect your own. No need to ask others to think or believe what you do when no one damn well asked you. You should instead be showing compassion and empathy. Shame on you! Religious or not everyone here has a purpose in life. And if there is anyone who has ANY right to JUDGE its the one who made heaven and earth. And thats NOT YOU!!! KNOW YOUR PLACE Little one! Or He who gave you breath will teach you!
Ironic how debit calls anyone and everyone a hateful bigot when he is in fact the most bigoted, hateful person I’ve come across on any website or in life. Get help
I wouldn’t say the most, but he does have issues, other Aaron.
In a way, I’m surprised that it took this long for a flight attendant to test positive. I flew JAL last month, and the crew all wore those hospital masks that provide zero protection against viruses. One epidemiologist said the only thing those masks are good for is robbing a bank.
Is anyone surprised that Korean is unwilling to refund/be flexible? This is the company de facto owned by the Macadamia nut horror show and her equally vile sister. You wouldn’t want to get between them and a 5 Won coin, and the health and safety of others be damned.
No one is talking about her flight route in US media. She was flying incheon to LA route with coronavirus symptom. Korean blog site missy USA is talking about hotel and places she visited during her stay at LA.
Would be nice to know the flight numbers. I flew them twice in the past 2 weeks and will fly them two more times in a few days.
For anyone saying coronavirus is no more harmful than the regular flu, when was the last time you saw technicians wearing biohazard suits when escorting people with a normal case of the flu?! And the Chinese have been injecting it into monkeys! Yeah that’s going to end really well. Just like in “28 Days Later”
The mortality rate ( fatalities as % of resolved cases) is currently around 8%; the negative outcome for higher risk categories of patients is much greater ( elderly, pre-existing health issues). Spanish Flu ( 1918-1920) had a mortality rate of around 15%; it killed 50 million people.
Those persisting with the line “but, it’s just the flu” are either profoundly ignorant or just plain stupid ( probably a combination of the two).
Allegations are that the flight attendant stayed at the Intercontiental Los Angeles property.
Mostly false news..media hype
Probably not false news. I stay at the intercontinental and see many many South Korean flight attendants. Not to mention the building is owed my Korea airs parent.