A Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant who was one of 17 people who tested positive for coronavirus after attending the training event in person, died Tuesday, the company confirmed.
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Jeff Kurtzman (Courtesy of Connie Florez)
Jeff Kurtzman and 16 others contracted the respiratory illness after attending the course in Honolulu in late June, the company confirmed to NBC Los Angeles, adding that it is now investigating whether the cluster of cases originated from the training.
Kurtzman, 60, was admitted to the hospital after returning home to Los Angeles and tested positive for COVID-19, Hawaiian Airlines CEO Peter Ingram confirmed in an email to staff, which was sent by the airline. NBC News after repeated requests for deposition.
He died on July 21.
Kurtzman had worked for the airline since 1986, Ingram’s email said.
“Over the past three decades, his colleagues in flight have become known for his passion for discovering new places, people and cultures; his fantastic sense of humor and ability to converse easily; and his attentive heart. He embodied the values of aloha and malama that we appreciate, “he wrote.
The airline was offering support to Kurtzman’s husband and family, Ingram said, adding that the company was also monitoring employees who are recovering from the coronavirus.
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“We are reminded every day that this virus is serious and highly transmissible,” Ingram wrote. “We have strengthened the mandates and protocols that govern how we interact with each other at our facilities, and I urge everyone to practice maximum vigilance.”
Kurtzman’s friend Connie Florez told NBC Los Angeles that she was delighted that he was in Honolulu for training as it coincided with his 60th birthday. The two got together for dinner.
Kurtzman told him that some people in the training course “got a little loose on the second day,” but I kept my mask on. I do not wanna get sick “.
But he couldn’t avoid respiratory illness and became ill when he returned home.
“He’s such a beautiful man. He just apologized. ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. I know you must be scared,'” Florez said. “We really have lost an angel.”
Those in the training session were exposed to the virus in part because social distancing was non-existent and masks were optional, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. Some of the at least 16 infected employees exposed eight household members.
The health department said an infected person from the training program is also responsible for 20 additional cases at two Hawaii recreational gyms.
The company said it resumed training last week with stricter rules mandating the use of face masks and constant social distancing.
“All of our instructors have been screened, and the approximately 60 employees who have received recent training have been asked to quarantine and monitor their health,” the company said.
Other friends also shared Kurtzman’s loving nature.
“Jeff was a kind, generous and kind man and a rock in my life. He called me ‘Vickerson’ and I called him ‘Jefferson’. I can’t even begin to understand this loss, but I want to share about his passing with the countless people who love and respect him, “Vic Gerami wrote on Facebook.
“You were one of a kind, a gentle soul that touched so many people. Your generosity and love knew no bounds.”
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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