As the delta variant of the coronavirus continues to rise in Nevada and across the U.S. Transportation Security Agency that regulates the country’s security gates, U.S. Transportation Security Agency officials see an increase in cases.
At McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, cases increased 18 percent between July 2 and Tuesday, rising from 197 positive cases to 233, according to daily TSA data tracked by the Review Journal. The increase of 36 new infections in this 40-day period is significantly higher than during an 88-day period from April 5 to July 2, when McCarran reported 18 new cases with a 10 percent increase.
“Unfortunately there (Las Vegas) COVID infections in the workforce are increasing,” said TSA spokesman Carter Langston. “What we are really seeing across the country, but right there at McCarran, is that COVID infections mirror exactly what is happening in the communities.”
The recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Nevada resulted in Governor Steve Sisolak introducing an indoor mask mandate on July 30 in hopes of slowing the soaring rate of infection.
The percentage increase at McCarran is above what happens nationwide, as 800 new cases emerged between July 2 and Tuesday, up 10 percent to a total of 8,986.
Of those total cases at the national level, 8,438 TSA workers with 548 active infections had recovered from their infections by Monday.
The recent surge in McCarran has made some TSA officials there worried about their health.
“TSA employees are concerned,” said Becky Esquivel, vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1250, who is also a TSA agent at McCarran. “There are immunocompromised and pregnant workers who have raised concerns that the virus is as contagious as chickenpox.”
Those who test positive will be quarantined for 10 days for a fee, Esquivel noted.
In addition, two more officials died of the disease between July 22 and July 27, bringing the number of coronavirus deaths among TSA workers nationwide to 18. Prior to these two deaths, there has been no COVID-related death of a TSA employee since April 27.
With the recent surge in infections, there is a push across the country to vaccinate frontline workers.
“Federal security directors encourage employees who are uncomfortable to stay home,” Langston said. “We continue to encourage vaccinations among all employees. It’s a continuous effort. “
Esquivel confirmed that there was a vaccine surge among TSA staff on site, but also noted the importance of public cooperation with health and safety regulations.
“We all have a responsibility to ourselves and to others to wear protective clothing, maintain good hygiene and keep a safe distance,” said Esquivel. “While we as TSA staff cannot force the public to wear masks, it is estimated that they (the traveling public) would practice these precautions.”
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.
