Nearly 70 TTC employees have now tested positive for coronavirus

Jul 20 2020, 4:42 pm

A total of 69 TTC employees have now tested positive for COVID-19, with 69 staff in isolation, the transit commission confirmed.

According to the transit union, ATU Local 113, the latest known cases includes one of the staff to test positive was a serviceperson at building services for plant maintenance, who received their test result on June 10.

Another was a bus operator at Arrow, who received their positive test result on June 11 and collector from the Danforth Division, who tested positive on June 13.

As well as a bus operator at Queensway, who got their positive diagnosis on June 25, a bus operator at Eglinton who tested positive on July 1, and a bus operator from Malvern who received their test result on July 15.

According to the TTC, there was another staff who tested positive — a customer service employee — but their diagnosis date is unknown.

The TTC said it has strict protocols in place for when an employee tests positive.

According to the transit commission, once they are 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.

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 health care provider, and for TTC employees to call the transit system’s Occupational Health and Safety Department.

To date, of the 69 employees to test positive for the virus, 55 employees have recovered and returned to work.

And since July 2, it became mandatory for transit riders to wear a face mask or covering on all TTC vehicles.

Clarrie FeinsteinClarrie Feinstein

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