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DTW begins screening passengers for deadly coronavirus

airport terminal
Vito Palmisano
/
Detroit Metro Airport
Detroit Metro Airport will now screen some passengers for the deadly coronavirus that has infected thousands of people in China.

Detroit Metro Airport is taking extra precaution by screening some passengers for the deadly coronavirus.

That's after the number of confirmed cases in China rose to nearly 6,000 as of Wednesday morning. The death toll is now at 132.

DTW is among 20 airports around the country that recently began testing.

The airport said in a statement its janitorial staff is cleaning more often in the International Arrivals area. 

The Centers for Disease Control says the immediate health risk to Americans is low.

So far there are no confirmed cases in Michigan, although one test is pending.

DTW has direct flights to and from Beijing and Shanghai.

Read the airport's statement:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now conducting enhanced passenger screening at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, in response to concerns regarding the Coronavirus. The Airport Authority is working with the CDC, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), our airline partners and tenants to help prevent the spread of the virus. In the McNamara Terminal, Detroit Metropolitan Airport offers direct flights to and from Beijing and Shanghai, China. Out of an abundance of caution, the janitorial service has increased the frequency of its cleaning schedule in the terminal’s Federal Inspection Station, also known as the International Arrivals area. The Airport Authority will remain in communication with the CDC and provide updates when possible.

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Lauren Talley is Michigan Radio’s Morning Edition producer. She produces and edits studio interviews and feature stories, and helps manage the “Mornings in Michigan” series. Lauren also serves as the lead substitute host for Morning Edition.
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