17th TTC employee tests positive for coronavirus

Two more TTC employees have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number to 17 employees with 240 in isolation.

According to the TTC, one of the patients is a bus operator at Eglinton and the other is a subway operator at Wilson.

“Like all employers, we continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on our workforce and take all appropriate action to ensure any reported positive cases are handled in conjunction with Toronto Public Health and our own Occupational Health and Safety Department,” the TTC said.

Once the transit system is notified of a positive diagnosis they “immediately” engage with Toronto Public Health to investigate and decide on the next steps, including notifying those who may need to take additional actions.

• See also:
  • 15 TTC employees have now tested positive for coronavirus 
  • First two Metrolinx and two more TTC employees test positive for coronavirus
  • TTC installs barriers on buses to protect transit operators

“At every location, we take action to ensure enhanced cleaning measures as recommended by public health officials, such as additional surface cleaning in frequently accessed areas, are undertaken as soon as possible,” the TTC said.

As there is now community spread of coronavirus in the city, Toronto Public Health is asking all individuals who have symptoms to self-isolate at home for 14 days from when the symptoms begin and to call Telehealth Ontario, their local public health department, or their health care provider, and for TTC employees to call the transit system’s Occupational Health and Safety Department.

On Wednesday, the transit system disclosed that 15 employees had tested positive, which include: a bus operator from Wilson; a staff member from Station Services, a bus mechanic at Duncan Shop; a subway operator at Wilson; three wheel-trans operators; a bus technician at the Old Davenport building; two bus operators at Mt Dennis; a station collector from Danforth Division; and a Streetcar operator from Roncesvalles Division; a waste management operator who works in the Building Services Section of Plant Maintenance; a bus operator at Arrow; and a bus maintenance garage coach technician at Queensway.

During the course of the pandemic, the TTC has been mandating rules to ensure physical distancing for customers and transit workers.

On March 24, the TTC announced it was no longer accepting payment by cash, tickets, or tokens on buses and asked all customers to board and exit using the rear doors when possible to keep operators safe and ensure physical distancing.

On March 31, the transit system encouraged transit users to get on buses off peak hours and on April 1, they announced that they will be adding more buses during peak service hours.

And, on April 8, the TTC began implementing vinyl barriers on its buses to better protect operators during the pandemic, installing and making 150 barriers a day.