More fallout from travel and the pandemic. Not just travellers are at risk, pity the poor security and screening agents. In the US the number of Covid-positive Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening officers has now surpassed 10,000 since the start of the pandemic. It climbed to 10,243 as of the end of last week, an agency spokesperson said.
There are currently more than 500 active cases on administrative leave although so far only 27 TSA agents have died, plus two screening contractors.
The TSA reported this week that it had screened over 1 million passengers, representing the highest number of passengers screened at TSA checkpoints since March 17, 2020. During the week ending October 18, TSA screened 6.1 million passengers nationwide, the highest total since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miami International Airport has so far had the most cases of any US airport with 513, followed by LAX with 452 cases New York JFK with 440. President Joe Biden recently signed an executive order mandating vaccinations for workers at all federal agencies including the TSA.
US airports with the highest number of recorded cases among TSA employees included:
• Miami International Airport (MIA): 513 total cases
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 452 total cases
• John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City: 440 total cases
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL): 370 total cases
• Orlando International Airport (MCO): 356 total cases
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): 355 total cases
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD): 341
• Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW): 333 total cases
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 279 total cases
• McCarran International/Las Vegas Airport (LAS): 257 total cases
The TSA has listed every US airport where an infected employee was stationed on its website, including whether they worked in a screening or non-screening capacity as well as the dates of the most recent infection at each airport.
So far, the TSA has only recorded 27 deaths related to the cases, not counting two found among screening contractors. Most who have been infected have already recovered, though 515 still have an active infection.
Employees with active infections are placed on paid administrative leave while they recover, according to TSA policy.
Along with other federal agencies, all TSA employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than Nov. 22. President Joe Biden made vaccination a requirement for federal employees via an executive order this month.