Traffic & Transit

Worker At Newark Airport Dies, Had Coronavirus: Reports

A United Airlines worker at Newark Airport died as a result of COVID-19, his partner said.

A United Airlines worker at Newark Airport reportedly died as a result of COVID-19.
A United Airlines worker at Newark Airport reportedly died as a result of COVID-19. (Shutterstock)

NEWARK, NJ — A United Airlines worker at Newark Airport died earlier this week from coronavirus complications, reports say.

Carlos Consuegra Sr. worked as a ramp service employee at the airport. He was initially admitted to the hospital last week, RLS Media reported.

Consuegra, a 52-year-old Union City resident, was diagnosed with an ear infection and sent home, his life partner told Pix 11 News. When Consuegra’s breathing later became labored, he went to another hospital, where he later died from heart failure. He was a non-smoker with no underlying health problems, his partner said.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A United Airlines spokesperson provided the following statement to Patch regarding Consuegra's death:

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our employees at Newark Liberty International Airport. The thoughts of the entire United family are with his loved ones.”

According to United’s website, the company is taking multiple steps to protect its employees and customers from the new coronavirus.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The safety of our customers and employees is and always will be our top priority,” the airline states. “The dynamic nature of this outbreak requires us to be flexible in how we respond, provide service and protect our customers and employees.”

United Airlines states:

  • “When we are advised by the CDC of an employee or customer who has traveled onboard and who is potentially exhibiting coronavirus symptoms, that aircraft is taken out of service and sent through a full decontamination process that includes our standard cleaning procedures plus washing ceilings and overhead bins and scrubbing the interior.”
  • “Customers may now see flight attendants wearing gloves during food and beverage service and pick-up in all cabins.”
  • “We've added supplies for our crews on segments flown to Alert Level 2 zones and upward: gloves, masks, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, Sani-Com wipes, foaming hand soap, and disinfectant wipes as supply becomes available.”
  • “United has a team of in-house professionals who review and test cleaning products and a corporate medical team who are working around the clock.”
  • “United also partners with International SOS/MedAire, an organization that gives all employees ready access to a doctor for advice and assistance when they are on business outside their home country.”

Airport workers in Newark have repeatedly called for more job safety protections and economic security in recent weeks.

“The coronavirus is having a huge impact on our lives and the economy and airport workers who are on the frontlines of this crisis,” 32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg said last week, as Congress lined up to vote on a $2 trillion economic aid package.

“Airports are often the biggest worksites in many of our cities, so we have to protect the economic health of the nation — and that has to include the health, safety and economic security of the contracted airport workers who keep our airports running every day,” Bragg said.

Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page. Send news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com


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