A passenger on a WestJet flight was taken off the plane in Winnipeg Thursday afternoon, for what WestJet is calling an "abundance of caution."

WestJet Flight 448 was travelling to Winnipeg from Vancouver. The crew alerted Winnipeg authorities that there was a potential medical issue on board. Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services met the flight and took the sick passenger to hospital.

Tyler MacAfee from the Winnipeg Airports Authority says that the passenger indicated that they had a medical issue. MacAfee would not expand on what that issue was, however. 

"Anytime there is a medical issue we mobilize first responders," MacAfee says. He adds that they are experts who have the ability to deal with medical issues.

MacAfee says with COVID-19 there is heightened awareness around situations such as this but that it's not uncommon for ill passengers to be taken off a flight.

WestJet says the plane did not have to be quarantined. 

Shared Health and the City of Winnipeg confirm that emergency services transported the patient to hospital. 

WestJet says the remaining passengers were cleared by emergency services.

"All 134 guests have disembarked and should be on their way home shortly. We sincerely apologize to our guests for this inconvenience," Morgan Bell, a spokesperson from WestJet says.

Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living says that they are aware of the situation and can confirm "appropriate precautions and procedures are being followed."

They also add that are no lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 (the coronavirus) and that the risk to Manitobans remains low.