Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Had a lot of confusion and miss communication at the beginning of a passenger event. Originally I was told that there was a passenger at the gate who does not have a face mask isn't going to wear one. Also that that passenger was telling people at the gate of having had the virus already. On top of that I was told this passenger had a medical problem they were traveling to ZZZ to be worked on. I was also hearing that passenger was being disruptive.One of my flight attendants had a concern of this passenger still being contagious and being a disruptive passenger. With the passenger still being at the gate I started to receive more information I was told to contact MedLink. Turns out that the gate had already been in touch with MedLink and the passenger had already been cleared by MedLink. As for the pre-existing medical condition; the passenger told the gate of not wearing a mask because it causes asthma attacks. I verified this to be a possibility with MedLink on my side.As for the disruptive behavior I spoke with the station manager and he informed me that the passenger was being cooperative and only just understandably a little frustrated. I asked him if he thought passenger would be an issue in flight and he indicated that he did not believe that to be the case. After speaking with my flight attendant about her concerns we decided they had all been resolved and we allowed the passenger to board the flight. I think this is new to all of us and I don't think I could do anything different.
Air carrier Captain reported a series of miscommunications regarding a boarding passenger who was possibly contagious with COVID-19. After the Captain spent time resolving the issue; it was determined that the passenger could be allowed to board.