A Stratford transit bus driver has tested positive for COVID-19.
Huron-Perth Public Health received the result on Friday. They say the risk to the public is considered low because of the preventative measures the city had put in place for both employees and riders.
“Given that we know COVID-19 is in our community, we are not surprised to see cases showing up in workplaces and in the service industry,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health said in a written statement. “This is a good example of why we are urging people and workplaces to practice physical distancing and infection control.”
The City of Stratford is consulting with Huron Perth Public Health to determine if any additional changes to the transit service are necessary.
“The safety of our employees and the community as a whole is our top priority,” said Mayor Dan Mathieson in the statement, “so we want to make sure we're doing everything we can to reduce the risk of transmission.”
The transit driver became sick on April 1 and began to self-isolate at home. The driver’s spouse who is also a transit driver is showing symptoms of COVID-19. Their test results are pending.
As of Friday afternoon, there are 30 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Huron and Perth including two long-term care homes Hillside Manor, and Greenwood Court.
-With files from Ryan Drury