SCAT Bus Driver Tests Positive For Coronavirus

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — A Sarasota County Area Transit bus driver tested positive for coronavirus Saturday.

The unnamed driver operated the Route 14 bus Jan. 5-6 from 2:15 to 7:03 p.m. and the Route 12 bus Jan. 7 from 1:45 to 9:10 p.m., according to a news release from Sarasota County.

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County recommends that anyone who rode these routes on those dates should monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms.

Mild to severe symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Any passenger that suspects they have been exposed or experiences COVID-19 symptoms should contact their health care provider, DOH-Sarasota or visit one of the free state-run testing sites at 5400 Bradenton Road in Sarasota or the Robert L. Taylor Center at 1845 34th Street in Sarasota, the county said.

SCAT buses are sanitized every night and cleaned throughout the day, and SCAT bus operators have been provided face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and operational changes. Riders with COVID-19 systems are asked not to use SCAT services.

Fares for SCAT and SCAT Plus services are currently suspended to limit passenger interactions. Riders should also enter through the rear doors, practice social distancing and wear masks while using SCAT, the county said.