9 Charlotte airport TSA agents have tested positive for COVID-19, officials say

There now have been nine Transportation Security Administration agents at Charlotte Douglas International Airport who have tested positive for COVID-19, following another case Friday, officials said.

A screening officer at CLT tested positive Friday, TSA regional spokesman Daniel Velez said. The agent last worked from noon to 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the A Checkpoint area.

Another CLT screening officer reported testing positive this week on Wednesday, Velez said. That officer last worked from noon to 8:30 p.m. July 2 in the C checkpoint area, he said.

The other most recent confirmed cases were last week July 2 and Saturday, Velez said.

Seven of the nine TSA agents who have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Charlotte airport were screening officers. The TSA website has not yet updated with Friday’s case, Velez said.

Overall, TSA has had 1,033 employees test positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, according to the website. It said 663 have recovered and six have died.

TSA has implemented several coronavirus-related safety measures that include requiring officers to wear face coverings and gloves, changing gloves between pat-downs and upon passenger request, and increased cleanings and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces and security screening equipment, including bins.

Passengers who believe they may have come in contact with an infected person within the last 14 days are urged to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for travel-associated exposure, according to TSA.

Last week, TSA launched its “Stay Healthy. Stay Secure” campaign to promote additional checkpoint safety measures, such as identification verification without physical contact, adding plastic shields at TSA checkpoints and allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces, in carry-on bags.

Increase in travelers

The COVID-19 positive case comes as more people are beginning to travel again since the pandemic hit the U.S. in March.

Charlotte airport officials had expected to see the highest traffic since March over the Fourth of July weekend with 10,000 passengers. While air travel has risen 30% at the airport since March, it’s still down 65% from normal passenger numbers, officials said last week.

Travelers are required to wear face masks at the airport. Face coverings are required statewide in public places to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Charlotte’s dominant carrier, American Airlines, started booking flights at capacity again last week.

Customers can switch to less crowded flights without a fee through Sept. 30, and can change seats if available once boarded, according to the company.

The airline also requires passengers to wear face masks while boarding and during the flight, except to eat and drink.

American’s planes also have a filtration system that provides a complete cabin air change 15 to 30 times an hour, according to the company.

This story was originally published July 10, 2020 at 9:41 AM.