Travelers on LAX-bound flights are notified of possible COVID-19 exposure following passenger death on December 14

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – Los Angeles County health officials are informing passengers aboard a United Airlines flight bound for LAX that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 after a fellow passenger collapsed in flight and died of the virus.

United flight 591 was en route from Orlando to LA from Orlando on December 14. He was diverted to New Orleans due to a medical emergency after a passenger suffered what was initially considered a heart attack.

The man died in a hospital.

Last week, a report from the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office in Louisiana confirmed that the 69-year-old LA resident died of COVID-19 and acute respiratory failure.

RELATED: United passenger on flight to LAX died of COVID-19, respiratory failure, says coroner

United Airlines confirmed on December 18 that it had been contacted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the man.

“At the time of the diversion, we were informed that he had suffered cardiac arrest, so that passengers would have the option to take a later flight or continue with their travel plans,” the airline said. “Now that the CDC has contacted us directly, we are sharing the requested information with the agency so that they can work with local health officials to contact any customer the CDC believes is at risk of potential exposure or infection.”

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Flight passengers said the man’s wife had told ambulance personnel that he tested positive for COVID-19 and was showing symptoms.

United Airlines says passengers must certify that they do not have COVID-19 or other symptoms before being allowed on board.

The flight continued to LA after the man was taken off the plane.

City News Service contributed to this report.