Sick passenger on flight from China refused treatment, didn’t meet coronavirus criteria, Boston EMS says

BOSTON — A sick passenger on a flight from China was evaluated by Boston EMS after landing at the Logan Airport International Terminal Wednesday, Boston 25 News learned.

Boston EMS and Massport were called to the airport around 3 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a sick passenger at Terminal E. Boston EMS says the passenger was evaluated on scene and refused to be taken to the hospital. Officials would not give any details about the person’s symptoms.

A source told Boston 25 News the person could refuse hospital transport because they did not fit coronavirus criteria. If they did fit the criteria, they would not be able to refuse transport. That criteria is set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Massport told us “All safety protocols are being followed."

Boston 25 News has learned the flight is a Hainan Airways flight from Beijing.

Terminal E is where customs agents have been instructed to screen passengers with a history of travel to China for signs of coronavirus.

>> Coronavirus prevention, symptoms, treatment: What you need to know

In New Hampshire, two people who recently traveled to Wuhan, China where the outbreak is believed to have originated, have developed respiratory symptoms and are undergoing testing for the virus that has now killed more than 100 people and sickened thousands more.

Passengers at Logan arriving from Hong Kong were seen wearing the surgical masks, in hopes of protecting themselves as much as possible from the virus.

“I have my mask, I have my gloves and that’s about it, I wash my hands a lot,” said Da Vicsit, a passenger.

Boston native Dan Dicsare is a full-time Hong Kong resident and says there is widespread fear as the government has been taking precautions to contain the spread of the virus.

“People are very precautious with it back in Hong Kong, it seems to be a big deal,” said Dicsare. “There’s a lot of fear going on about it the government and Hong Kong are taking a lot of precautions people are wearing masks they closed down all the public access to the playgrounds, schools are closed.”

Many passengers say they have been screened before boarding, such as one woman who took the flight but connected from somewhere else.

“They tested me when I was in Hong Kong to see if I had any cold, flu,” said the traveler. “Everybody had masks, I didn’t but haven’t been exposed to it hopefully."

Those who came from a Hong Kong flight arriving at Logan on Wednesday evening said they had not been screened upon arrival.

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