Positive COVID-19 test in Alaska associated with cargo flight

March 13, 2020

On Thursday, March 12, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) was notified that an individual associated with an cargo flight tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The patient is a foreign national who developed a fever and respiratory symptoms shortly after arriving in Anchorage the day before. The patient immediately contacted their physician and then went to Alaska Regional Hospital for testing.

Cargo flights to ANC strictly adhere to guidelines set out by the US Federal Aviation Administration and the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Cargo flights are completely separate from any passenger flights at ANC. Cargo crewmembers never come into contact with general passengers and they do not access the main terminal. Cargo crewmembers are cleared through US Customs and Border Protection agents at ANC’s North Terminal.

Cargo is not considered a health risk according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.