Latest Toronto case of COVID-19 used public transit (see TTC, MiWay, GO routes)

Toronto’s latest patient, and Ontario’s 24th, a man in his 40s, diagnosed with COVID-19 recently travelled to Las Vegas and used public transit in Toronto for several days before he was tested for the virus, according to the Toronto Public Health at a press conference today.

The man had symptoms from March 2-4 and used public transit daily to and from his workplace at the RBC office on Financial Drive in Meadowvale, Mississauga.

He was cared for at Toronto Western Hospital and now remains at home in self-isolation.

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) said the man who travelled to Las Vegas had used public transit daily between March 2 and 4.

Toronto Public Health said the man had travelled along a number of routes on the TTC, MiWay and GO during those three days, including:

•  TTC Subway from Bathurst Station westbound to Islington Station at around 8:50 a.m.
•  Islington Station to his work using 108N MiWay Express Mississauga at around 9:10 a.m.
•  27 Milton GO Bus from work to Yorkdale Station at around 6:10 p.m.
•  TTC Subway from Yorkdale Station to St. George Station at around 6:45 p.m.
•  St. George Station to Bathurst Station at around 7:16 p.m.
•  Bathurst Station to 511 Bathurst Streetcar on March 4 at around 7:20 p.m.
•  511 Bathurst Streetcar to Bathurst Station on March 4 at around 4:20 p.m.

City of Mississauga and Peel Public Health share details about the man’s Mississauga transit routes

March 2

• 9:13 a.m. – Islington Station – Boarded 108N Meadowvale Business Express Exited at Financial Drive
• 6:12 p.m. – Syntex Court @ Financial Drive – Boarded 27 Milton GO Bus – Exited at Yorkdale Station

March 3

•9:25 a.m. – Islington Station – Boarded 108N Meadowvale Business Express Exited at Financial Drive
6:12 p.m. – Syntex Court @ Financial Drive – Boarded 27 Milton GO Bus – Exited at Yorkdale Station

March 4

• 9:13 – Islington Station – Boarded 108N Meadowvale Business Express – Exited at Financial Drive

•6:12 p.m. – Syntex Court @ Financial Drive – Boarded 27 Milton GO Bus – Exited at Yorkdale Station

People on the MiWay buses in question on the above days who are feeling well, with no symptoms, are advised by Peel Public Health to continue to go about their daily routines and not call Public Health.

Peel Public Health is working with the individual’s employer to support staff. If you develop symptoms, please call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700. If you require emergency medical assistance, please call 911. There is no evidence of community spread of the virus.

“It’s important to know that not everyone on the bus would have had close contact with the individual. However, the individual was symptomatic and if you are developing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, we’d ask that you self-isolate and call Peel Public Health as soon as possible,” said Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Medical Officer of Health, Peel Public Health.

Meanwhile, “Toronto Public Health continues to assure the TTC and the city that the risk of exposure for both TTC employees and customers remains low,” the TTC said in a news release Friday.

“Since January, the TTC has been performing significant additional cleaning and disinfection of all public places with a focus on touch and grab points, such as buttons, railings, handles and straps. Every station, bus, streetcar, Wheel-Trans vehicle and train are receiving extra attention.”

See complete TTC news release below:

Also, Dr. Eileen de Villa provided an update on COVID-19 and the response activities underway in Toronto. She was be joined by Mayor John Tory and Councillor Joe Cressy (Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York), Chair of Toronto’s Board of Health.

“This information is being provided out of an abundance of caution. We’re talking about low-risk situations,” said Dr. Eileen de Villa in a press conference Friday.

Transit riders without COVID-19 symptoms do not need to seek medical help, Dr. de Villa said, unless they get a call from her unit.

The other Toronto case, a man in his 50s, recently returned to Canada from Iran on February 27th. He presented himself to North York General Hospital’s emergency department in Toronto on March 3. He was discharged from the hospital and remains at home in self-isolation.

Both men are isolating themselves in their homes.

Ontario health officials have confirmed three new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the province’s total to 26, including four recovered patients.