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Las Vegas Air Traffic Controller Tests Positive For Coronavirus; Flights Diverted To Phoenix

An air traffic controller in Las Vegas presumptively tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday, impacing Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. 

Eleven flights bound for McCarran International Airport were diverted to Phoenix last night while the air traffic control tower in Las Vegas was temporarily closed.

FAA officials issued a statement that they were working to identify how many air traffic controllers will have to self-isolate, either because they interacted with the infected controller or shared a workspace.

For now, flights in and out of Las Vegas will continue at a reduced rate.

A spokesman for the FAA said officials have been working since late January to provide precautionary measures to all the administration's employees.

→  Read The Latest News On The Coronavirus Disease  

Ben Giles is a senior editor at KJZZ.