OC Transpo maintenance employee contracts COVID-19

OTTAWA – Ottawa’s Transportation Services general manager has confirmed an OC Transpo fleet and facilities maintenance employee has contracted COVID-19 yesterday (May 11).

“Today (May 11), we received confirmation an OC Transpo fleet and facilities maintenance employee has tested positive for COVID-19, general manager John Manconi wrote in a memo to council yesterday. “We continue to work closely with Ottawa Public Health (OPH) to take all necessary steps to protect everyone.”

The staff member last worked on May 4 and has not been at work since. The employee may have been experiencing symptoms as early as May 1. The staffer received the COVID-19 test on May 5 and is currently self-isolating at home.

“To protect the privacy of the individual, we will not be releasing their name,” Manconi said. “We are working alongside OPH and are conducting contact tracing of individuals who have, or may have been, in close contact with the employee.”

OPH has advised the key dates are the period 48 hours prior to the first day the employee showed symptoms. In this case, the required dates include April 29 and 30, and May 1 and 4. The employee was not scheduled to work on May 2 and 3. OPH is following up with family and friends who may have been in close contact with the individual.

“We have begun contacting employees who may have come into close contact with this employee during those key dates,” Manconi said.

Out of the four dates noted above, the employee visited one public-facing transit station. On April 29, the staff member was present at St-Laurent Station from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. In an abundance of caution, OC Transpo is in the process of identifying vehicles and facilities that may require cleaning above our enhanced cleaning processes.

If customers have concerns of exposure, they can contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 to speak to a public health nurse or visit ottawapublichealth.ca.