A TTC bus driver has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the transit workers’ union.

In a message posted to the union’s site Tuesday, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 president Carlos Santos said the employee worked out of the Mount Dennis Garage, and hadn’t been on the job since Saturday, March 14. He said the worker had been hospitalized and spoke to union representatives Tuesday.

Santos said “the case is still under investigation” and the union would work with TTC management and Toronto Public Health to “respond appropriately.”

“Our thoughts are with the member and we wish him a full and speedy recovery,” he said.

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green confirmed the positive test, and said the worker didn’t begin experiencing symptoms until five days after he was last on the job.

According to Green, Toronto Public Health had advised “there is no workplace exposure to follow up on and there is no risk to employees or the public.”

“The health and safety of our employees is paramount and we extend our very best wishes to this operator for a full recovery,” he said.

The bus driver is the fifth TTC worker to test positive for the virus, and the first with the potential to have had contact with a large number of riders.

The other employees who have become ill are a Wheel-Trans driver, a subway operator, and two maintenance workers

Unlike bus drivers, subway operators are physically separated from passengers during their shifts.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...