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When a United Airlines flight from Orlando to Los Angeles diverted to New Orleans Monday night for a medical emergency, a passenger on the flight live tweeted the drama and claimed the passenger died of COVID-19 after overhearing comments from his wife.The flight continued on to Los Angeles on the same plane.United officials at the time said only that United flight 591 diverted for a medical emergency and that the passenger was taken to a hospital. Local news reports mentioned cardiac arrest. On Friday, United officials confirmed the passenger, who it said died at the hospital, had COVID-19 symptoms but did not confirm he was COVID-19 positive or that that was his cause of death. The airline said in a statement that it has been contacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the incident, which suggests a positive COVID-19 case. CDC officials have not responded to requests about the case."At the time of the diversion, we were informed he had suffered a cardiac arrest, so passengers were given the option to take a later flight or continue on with their travel plans,'' the statement, provided by United spokesman Charles Hobart, said.United said it has been in contact with the deceased passenger's family."We have been in touch with his family and have extended our sincerest condolences to them for their loss,'' the statement said.