OC Transpo confirms new COVID-19 case with bus operator who drove east, west end routes

OC Transpo continues to add to its growing list of positive COVID-19 cases among its employees after yet another bus operator has been confirmed positive with the virus.

On Wednesday, OC Transpo said that the new operator had contracted the virus, with their last day of work being April 16.

The employee has been self-isolating since that time.

The identity of the individual will not be released.

The bus company said it is working with Ottawa Public Health to conduct contact tracing of individuals who have, or may have been, in close contact with the employee.

This includes co-workers, family and friends.

The key dates are the 48-hour period before the onset of symptoms; which are April 15 and 16 in this case.

The employee operated buses #8177 and #8140 on Thursday, April 15, and buses #8057 and #8133 on Friday, April 16.

April 15

Bus #8177 – worked from 6:42 a.m. to 9:44 a.m.

• Route #231 Viseneau/Innes at 7:10 a.m. to Blair Stations at at 7:38 a.m.
• Route #39 Millennium Park at 8:04 a.m. to La Cité at 8:45 a.m.
• Route #39 Trim Park & Ride at 9:11 a.m. to Blair Station at 9:34 a.m.

Bus #8140 – worked from 2:14 p.m. to 6:32 p.m.

• Route #111 Carleton University at 2:42 p.m. to Baseline Station at 3:27 p.m.
• Route #257 Tunney’s Pasture Station at 3:41 p.m.  to Bridgestone/Foxhall at 4:33 p.m.
• Route #257 Tunney’s Pasture Station at 5:11 p.m.  to Bridgestone/Foxhall at 6:03 p.m.

April 16

Bus #8140 – worked 6:42 a.m. to 9:44 a.m.

• Route 231 Viseneau/Inness at 7:10 a.m. to Blair Station at 7:38 a.m.
• Route #39 Millennium Park at 8:04 a.m. to La Cité at 8:45 a.m.
• Route #39 Trim Park & Ride at 9:11 a.m. to Blair Station at 9:34 a.m.

Bus #8133 – worked 2:14 p.m. to 6:32 p.m.

• Route #111 Carleton University at 2:42 p.m. to Baseline Station at 3:27 p.m.
• Route #257 Tunney’s Pasture Station at 3:41 p.m.  to Bridgestone/Foxhall at 4:33 p.m.
• Route #257 Tunney’s Pasture Station at 5:11 p.m.  to Bridgestone/Foxhall at 6:03 p.m.

OC Transpo said it is also identifying vehicles and facilities that may need addition cleaning.

Earlier Wednesday, it was confirmed by ATU Local 279 that 34 bus employees were confirmed COVID-19 cases between March 1 and April 18 — 10 of which were in April alone.

The union said it's up to Ottawa's medical officer of health and the provincial government to recognize and prioritize transit workers.

– With files from CityNews Ottawa's Mike Vlasveld