19th TTC employee tests positive for coronavirus
Two more TTC employees have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number to 19 employees with 240 in isolation, as of Friday.
According to the TTC, one of the patients is a subway operator at Danforth and the other is a foreperson in the Building Services Section of Plant Maintenance.
“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.
“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.
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As there is 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 17 employees had tested positive, which include:
- Bus mechanic at Duncan Shop
- Subway operator at Wilson
- Wheel-Trans operator
- Bus technician at the Old Davenport building
- Bus operator at Mt Dennis
- Station collector from Danforth Division
- Streetcar operator from Roncesvalles Division
- Bus operator at Mt Dennis
- Wheel-Trans operator
- Staff member from Station Services
- Bus operator at Wilson
- Waste management operator who works in the Building Services Section of Plant Maintenance
- Bus operator at Arrow
- Wheel-Trans operator
- Bus maintenance garage coach technician at Queensway
- Bus operator at Eglinton
- Subway operator at Wilson
As the TTC continues to operate during the pandemic, greater protections for staff and riders are needed.
On Thursday, 38 bus operators at the TTC’s Queensway and Wilson Division initiated work refusals due to workplace safety concerns.
The same day, the TTC said they would start blocking off seats on vehicles to ensure physical distancing measures.
On April 8, the transit commission began implementing vinyl barriers on its buses to better protect operators during the pandemic.
TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said at the time, that the transit system is making and installing 150 barriers a day.
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