The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned just before 9 p.m. tonight, Thursday, March 26, that a Port Authority of Allegheny County bus operator has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
According to a release sent to the Courier by Adam Brandolph, Port Authority spokesperson, the bus operator “is under medical supervision at a local hospital. Based on current information, the employee was exposed outside of work. No other information will be provided to protect the employee’s identity.”
Just yesterday, Wednesday, March 25, the Port Authority began a new measure to better protect its drivers/operators from the public, by making riders board in the back of the bus, except those with special circumstances, such as a wheelchair.
The Courier has spotted a number of Port Authority bus operators driving the buses while wearing a protective mask. As Thursday, March 26, was a warmer day with temperatures into the mid-60s, the Courier spotted more riders in Downtown Pittsburgh boarding buses today than any other day this week.
In a span of less than two weeks, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Allegheny has blossomed from two on March 14, to 133 positive cases confirmed as of Thursday, March 26. More positive cases are to be expected, as more tests are being performed throughout the county. So far, there have been two deaths in Allegheny County due to coronavirus — an individual from Clairton in their 60s, and a 78-year-old woman.
Upon learning of the employee’s diagnosis, the Port Authority said in its release that it “followed all of the protocols recommended and advised by the Centers for Disease Control and the Allegheny County Health Department, including holding the employee out of work when they first reported they were self-quarantining due to potential exposure, disinfecting areas where they may have been, and closely monitoring their coworkers.”
“First and foremost, we want to wish our employee a speedy recovery,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman, in the statement provided to the Courier. “The health and safety of our employees is our top priority now more than ever, and while this case hits close to home, it will not deter us from continuing to provide bus, rail and ACCESS service during this difficult time. We’re in this together and we will get through it together.”
The Port Authority has seen a significant reduction in ridership over the past few weeks, prompting the Authority to cut back on its weekday service, with all routes operating but less than usual. The Port Authority also has been “actively disinfecting vehicles and common work areas daily since March 14 to protect both customers and employees.”
According to the release, Port Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics. And earlier this month, Port Authority and its unions agreed that employees held out of work for COVID-19-related issues would continue to be paid with medical certification.
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