Three additional Metropolitan Transit Authority bus drivers have tested positive for COVID-19, transit officials said Tuesday, urging riders to monitor themselves.

Metro is cooperating with public health officials to notify passengers, along with other transit employees exposed to the drivers, officials said.

“Customers should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, contact your health care provider as soon as you develop any symptoms, and self-isolate to avoid possibly exposing others, including refraining from using public transportation,” officials said in a statement.

The drivers worked a host of different routes and shifts during the days they were on duty, including one who worked on 10 different routes over the course of 10 days between March 21 and April 2.

The two other drivers also worked multiple days across multiple routes in the Metro system. The last day any were present on buses was April 5.

The three drivers bring the total of COVID-positive transit workers to 11, seven of whom are drivers. Each time a driver has been confirmed to have tested positively for the new coronavirus, Metro has sent alerts to thousands of riders who registered their email addresses with the agency, in an effort to advise anyone who may have been on the bus with the operator.

More Information Metro drivers test positive Transit officials said Tuesday three more bus operators recently tested positive for COVID-19. The drivers worked most of the days between March 20 and April 5, along more than a dozen routes. Driver One Worked: March 21, 23-26, 28, 30-31 and April 1-2 Operated: 202 Kuykendahl Park & Ride, 29 Cullen/Hirsch, 40 Telephone/Heights, 85 Antoine/Washington, 52 Hardy-Ley, 27 Shepherd, 99 Ella-FM 1960, 56 Airline/Montrose, 6 Jensen/Greens and the 86 FM 1960/Imperial Valley Driver Two Worked: March 30 - April 3 Operated: 102 Bush IAH Express, 60 Cambridge, 86 FM 1960/Imperial Valley and the 51 Hardy-Kelly Driver Three Worked: March 23-25, 28-31, April 1, 4-5 Operated: 202 Kuykendahl Park & Ride, 102 Bush IAH Express, 86 FM 1960/Imperial Valley, 29 Cullen/Hirsch and the 6 Jensen/Greens Source: Metropolitan Transit Authority

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There has not been a confirmed case of a passenger testing positive for COVID-19 whose infection was traced back to contact with a Metro driver or another rider on the system, transit agency spokesman Jerome Gray said.

To minimize contact between riders and drivers, Metro last month eliminated fares and started making most passengers board and exit from the rear door of the bus. Last week officials cordoned off the front third of buses to keep riders and drivers apart and handed out masks and gloves to workers.

In announcing the three new cases Tuesday, Metro officials urged riders to wear masks while on board the system and to stay six feet from other passengers.

dug.begley@chron.com