In-Flight Coronavirus Transmission Confirmed

Although the risks for SARS-CoV-2 transmission have been extensively investigated, the in-flight transmission of the virus has not been formally confirmed, stated a team of researchers.

According to an Early Release study published by the U.S. CDC on September 18, 2020, four persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection recently traveled on the same flight from Boston, Massachusetts to Hong Kong, China. Given the case histories and sequencing results, the most likely sequence of events is that one or both of passengers A and B contracted SARS-CoV-2 in North America and transmitted the virus to flight attendants C and D during the flight.

The airplane was the only location where all 4 persons were in close proximity for an extended period.

Furthermore, their virus genetic sequences were found to be identical, unique, and belong to a clade not previously identified in Hong Kong, which strongly suggests that the virus can be transmitted during air travel.