SCAT Bus Driver Tests Positive For COVID-19: Sarasota County

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — A Sarasota County Area Transit driver tested positive for COVID-19 Monday.

The unnamed driver operated the Route 6 bus Saturday from 6:40 a.m. to 2:10 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.

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

Any passenger that thinks they have been exposed or experiences COVID-19 symptoms should contact their health care provider or visit one of the following free testing sites:

• the former Sarasota Kennel Club, 5400 Bradenton Road, Sarasota
• Robert L. Taylor Center, 1845 34th Street, Sarasota
• Dallas White Park, 5900 Greenwood Ave., North Port

SCAT buses are sanitized nightly and cleaned throughout the day, the county said.

Riders are required to wear face masks when traveling with SCAT due to a federal mandate, the county said. They should also enter buses through the rear doors and practice social distancing.