Local woman stranded in China after flights suspended

CHARLOTTE — The Wuhan coronavirus outbreak has killed at least 362 people in China and infected more than 17,000 people globally as it continues to spread. There are 11 confirmed cases in the U.S., which has implemented rules for traveling from China.

[ ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Government declares public health emergency ]

Steve Kuzma said his wife, Chun Kuzma, was supposed to return to Charlotte on Feb. 27 but Delta said it will stop flights Thursday.

“This weekend is when I found everything out,” Steve Kuzma said.

He got on the phone and booked her on a flight Wednesday, only to find out that Delta and other U.S. airlines sped up the suspension of flights to Sunday.

He's still not sure when his wife will be able to come home.

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“Just this morning, they announced they canceled all flights, so, I'm stuck in China,” Chun Kuzma said on the phone.

She is in southern China and about 800 miles from Wuhan, where the coronavirus emerged.

Steve Kuzman said he hasn’t heard any updates from the airline.

“Nothing as of right now,” he said. “I still don't have any emails from Delta telling me or updating me on anything.”

Delta officials told Channel 9 all flights in and out of are canceled until May 1.

The airline said stranded passengers can ask for refunds or get travel credit.

“Yeah, I was angry, but I cannot, I cannot do anything right now,” Chun Kuzma said.

She is staying with family and said visitors from Wuhan were ordered to stay in their homes or hotel rooms. Everyone else is free to go out, but not many are doing that, she said.

Delta Airlines said passengers can go to My Trips on its website to find options for rebooking flights and refunds. They can also call their customer service line: 800-221-1212.

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