Bus driver tests positive for COVID-19, COMET officials say
A COMET bus driver is in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority said.
The driver had multiple routes in Columbia at the beginning of the week before the coronavirus test was confirmed, COMET officials said in a news release.
On Monday, the driver operated routes 77 and 6, followed by the Soda Cap 1 route Tuesday, according to the release. The driver last worked Wednesday on the 1302 Tripper USC route for the University of South Carolina, officials said.
Because of the safety protocols put in place to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19, passengers being exposed to the coronavirus is “minimal,” according to COMET Executive Director/CEO John Andoh.
But he said anyone who took those bus routes is encouraged to get tested for the virus.
“Because we enforced masks and other safety measures, as well as limiting interactions with the drivers, the likelihood of exposure from the driver is minimal,” Andoh said in the release. “We continue to disinfect daily and enforce strong safety measures for the health of our passengers, drivers and staff.”
Among those protocols are multiple temperature checks for drivers and staff, daily disinfection of all vehicles and facilities, and mandatory masks or face coverings to ride COMET buses or enter facilities, according to the release.
Drivers were also given face shields to further protect themselves and passengers, according to the release.
COMET officials said they are installing barriers between the drivers and passengers to minimize the possibility of any exposure.
“The safety of our bus operators, our riders and the public is top of mind, especially during this pandemic,” Andoh said. “We acted swiftly, responsibly and in good faith to minimize any possible exposure ... (and) believe we have done our part to reduce the possibility of spread.”
The driver who was confirmed to have the coronavirus will continue to self-quarantine for 14 days and will then be retested before potentially returning to work, officials said.
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