Dozens of TSA workers nationwide have tested positive for coronavirus in the past 2 weeks
More than two dozen Transportation Security Administration workers from airports across the U.S. have tested positive for coronavirus, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
On Tuesday, TSA began reporting the confirmed cases of COVID-19 from only the past 14 days. As of Tuesday, 31 TSA employees had tested positive, including 24 screening officers and seven others who have limited interaction with the traveling public. That total has nearly tripled in the past week.
As is the case with America in general, the New York area represented the highest concentration of confirmed cases among TSA officers, with five at JFK International, four at Newark Liberty International and one at LaGuardia.
The first TSA case was confirmed at the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport in late February.
“TSA understands that COVID-19 is on the minds of travelers and the general public,” read an announcement on the agency’s website. “TSA is working with the CDC and state and local health departments to monitor local situations as well as the health and safety of our employees and the traveling public.
“Impacted security checkpoints may close as needed, so you may be redirected to other security screening checkpoints at the airport. TSA officers remain dedicated to their mission to ensure that travelers can get to their destinations as safely and securely as possible.”
The 13 airports with confirmed cases are:
- John F. Kennedy International (JFK in New York): 5
- Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (SJC in San Jose, California): 5
- Orlando International (MCO in Orlando, Florida): 4
- Newark Liberty International (EWR in Newark, New Jersey): 4
- Atlanta Hartsfield International (ATL in Atlanta): 2
- Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL in Fort Lauderdale, Florida): 2
- LaGuardia (LGA in New York): 1
- Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE in Cleveland): 1
- Cyril E. King International (STT in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands): 1
- Washington Dulles International (IAD in Dulles, Virginia): 2
- Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW in Texas): 1
- Indianapolis International (IND in Indiana): 1
- Las Vegas McCarran International (LAS in Nevada): 1
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