Cathay Pacific flight attendant catches Covid-19

The airline says the crew on the flight have not worked since the plane arrived back in Hong Kong from Madrid. File photo: RTHK

Cathay Pacific confirmed on Wednesday that one of its flight attendants has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, following a flight from Spain which carried a passenger who has also since been diagnosed with the illness.



In a statement, the airline said a cabin crew member working on flight CX320 on March 7 from Madrid to Hong Kong has returned a preliminary positive test for the new coronavirus.



It said while it is still awaiting final confirmation from health authorities, the plane in question has been disinfected and all of the other crew members who were on that flight have been urged to stay at home.



The airline said these employees have not worked since the plane landed back in Hong Kong on Sunday.



The Centre for Health Protection had earlier announced that a 19-year-old woman who sat in economy class on the same flight has since tested positive for Covid-19 in Dongguan, Guangdong province.



Reports say the student took a taxi from Hong Kong airport to Shenzhen Bay where she crossed into the mainland.