{"id":33599,"date":"2021-01-15T21:39:46","date_gmt":"2021-01-15T21:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/01\/15\/air-force-investigating-if-covid-killed-aviano-airman\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:58:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:58:17","slug":"air-force-investigating-if-covid-killed-aviano-airman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2021\/01\/15\/air-force-investigating-if-covid-killed-aviano-airman\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Force investigating whether COVID killed Aviano airman"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Update: On May 7, 2021, the Joint Staff confirmed that Morris\u2019s death was related to complications from COVID-19.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Air Force said Friday that the recent death of an airman<\/a> at Aviano Air Base in Italy may have been caused by COVID-19<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tech. Sgt. Michael Morris, of the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, died Tuesday, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa said in a release Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The release did not announce the cause of his death, and said it was under investigation. In response to an Air Force Times inquiry, USAFE confirmed Friday that Morris had COVID-19<\/a> at the time of his death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aviano is treating Morris\u2019 death as a potential COVID-19 death, and is taking all precautions necessary, USAFE said. But the Air Force is awaiting the results of Morris\u2019 autopsy before confirming the cause of death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morris\u2019 commanders mourned his loss in statements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe airmen of the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Aviano are deeply saddened by this loss,\u201d Maj. Christopher Clark, the squadron\u2019s commander, said in Thursday\u2019s release. \u201cMike was well-known and highly respected in our community. He was a friend to many,l and we\u2019ll miss him dearly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t