Delta CEO: 500 Staff Tested Positive For Coronavirus, 10 Dead

ATLANTA, GA — Ten employees of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines have died from coronavirus, and some 500 employees have tested positive, the company has revealed.

The spread of the virus among Delta employees was confirmed by CEO Ed Bastian, who provided an update during the company's annual shareholder meeting call Thursday.

Addressing the subject of those employees who have died, Bastian said, "every one of them breaks my heart."

Among other employees who contracted the virus, he said, "the vast majority have recovered," according to a transcript of the call.

Delta is testing its approximately 90,000 employees for the coronavirus. Once the employees are tested, Bastian said, "We will be able to provide better protection for our people and then, eventually, certainly, our customers as we go forward."

Earlier in the call, the CEO reflected on the economic impact as travelers hunkered down at home and states shut down tourist industries to prevent outbreaks. In May, the company suspended flights to 10 airports until at least September.

"We could never have predicted how quickly the coronavirus pandemic would upend our plans as demand for near-term air travel dropped to almost zero in a matter of weeks," Bastian said. "We are realistic that the timing and shape of revenue recovery are uncertain and are prepared that it could take up to two to three years to return to a new level of normal, which could still be lower than 2019 revenue base."