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2 more drivers from TheBus and TheHandi-Van test positive for COVID-19

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / 2019
                                The bus stop sign at Vineyard Boulevard and Pali Highway.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / 2019

The bus stop sign at Vineyard Boulevard and Pali Highway.

City officials confirmed that two more drivers — one of TheBus and one of TheHandi-Van — have tested positive for COVID-19.

Oahu Transit Services, which operates TheBus and TheHandi-Van, said neither driver had prolonged, close contact with other employees nor passengers. All vehicles driven by the affected drivers have been cleaned and disinfected.

TheBus driver’s last shift was on Saturday and began to feel symptoms that evening. The driver confirmed he or she had tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday.

The driver operated routes 42 and E between Monsarrat Avenue and Ewa Transit Center on Thursday afternoon, and routes 2 and 3 between 18th Avenue and Kalihi Transit Center and Ala Ilima/Ala Lilikoi Streets on Friday afternoon, and routes 1 and 2 between Kalihi Transit Center and 18th Avenue as well as Malia/Kilauea Avenue on Saturday.

Today, OTS confirmed that another Handi-Van driver, who tested positive, last worked a shift on Saturday. All passengers who were driven by this Handi-Van driver from Wednesday through Saturday have been contacted and notified to self-monitor for symptoms.

To date, more than 25 OTS drivers have tested positive for COVID-19, though not all were on the job at the time.

OTS officials said they have taken steps to reduce the risk of infection while riding or operating a transit vehicle.

Those steps include installing plastic curtains on all buses to provide a barrier between drivers and passengers as they board; adding extra buses on busy routes to provide more space for physical distancing; wiping down all touch surfaces on buses and vans with disinfectant daily; and electrostatic spraying of the vehicles nightly. Also, all OTS employees undergo temperature checks daily.

Officials continue to remind the public that only essential trips should be taken on public transit, and that wearing a face covering is mandatory while entering and riding TheBus and TheHandi-Van.

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