Public Health seeking Toronto to Ottawa rideshare passengers exposed to COVID-19

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is seeking a Toronto to Ottawa rideshare after one of the passengers tested positive for COVID-19.

On Tuesday, OPH said they are investigating a person who tested positive for the virus after travelling from Toronto to Ottawa on February 16 using a private rideshare service during the contagious period of the illness.

The rideshare had six other people, including the driver of the vehicle.

On February 16, a white van rideshare departed from Toronto, Yorkdale Shopping Centre around 1:00 pm and arrived in Ottawa around 6 pm. The car made stops to drop off passengers at the Bayshore Shopping Centre, the CF Rideau Centre, and the St. Laurent Shopping Centre.

“As part of the COVID-19 case management and contact tracing process, Ottawa Public Health follows up with close contacts of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. If Ottawa Public Health is unable to identify close contacts of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, a public release may be issued to reach those contacts,” the health unit said in a statement.

OPH is looking to contact the six individuals who should “immediately self-isolate” and contact the health unit for testing.

“Ottawa Public Health recommends travel by car only with people in your own household. If travelling with others outside of your own household, wear a mask, avoid any shared food or drinks, and avoid car travel with others if you’re sick.”

Toronto is currently under a Stay at Home order which prohibits rideshares and mandates that people only be indoors with those from their household unless going out for essential reasons like grocery shopping.