Coronavirus In Chicago: Flights Stopped At Midway Airport As Employees Test Positive To COVID-19

O’Hare International Airport (ORD) usually gets most of the attention when the topic of Chicago airports is discussed. On Tuesday, the nearby Midway International Airport (MDW) was getting some unwanted time in the spotlight after some technicians in the airport’s air traffic control tower tested positive for coronavirus.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement: “The air traffic control tower at Midway Airport is temporarily closing while we ensure a safe work environment for air traffic controllers and technicians. The FAA continues to maintain close contact with airports, airlines and other stakeholders during this situation.”

The agency said the airport is still open but is operating at a reduced rate and has backup facilities in operation to continue operations. O’Hare passenger traffic averages over 80 million people annually with MDW adding about 22 million. The two airports are separated by a mere 20 miles.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) that represents approximately 20,000 controllers issued a statement of its own saying it “is adamant that the testing must occur immediately and is hopeful there will be no additional COVID-19 infections. We are encouraged that the FAA is pursuing the rapid testing of all personnel at MDW Tower.”

The spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has used international and now domestic flights as a means of spreading from Wuhan, China, to airports around the world probably via people unaware they were infected. The resulting flood of flight cancellations caused by border closings and people canceling their vacations and flights out of plain fear has all but paralyzed the industry.

The FAA added that the tower was cleaned and remained staffed and there was no “immediate effect on operations.”

Away from the airports, Chicago is in full swing trying to minimize and control the spread of COVID-19. 911 operators are being trained to screen calls for coronavirus symptoms, according to the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

The Chicago Police Department has announced it will deploy teams in each district who will be the “designated to responders” to any call in which COVID-19 may be involved. The team members will wear specialized masks recommended as prevention against the spread of the virus.

Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said as of now, members of SWAT are being trained to use the masks while the district-level response teams are still being established.

Chicagoans may have something to cheer about as the federal government announced plans to distribute at least $1,000 to all Americans to help the population deal with the coronavirus. The focus, for now, remains on avoiding infection while dreams of a shopping spree with “free money” are on hold.