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

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

The unnamed driver operated the Route 2 bus on Dec. 28 from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Route 99 bus on New Year’s Eve from 5:30 a.m. to 2 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.

Any passenger who 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 FDOH in Sarasota County said:

• Former Sarasota Kennel Club, 5400 Bradenton Road, Sarasota. This drive-thru site offers both PCR and rapid tests Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th Street, Sarasota. This drive-thru site offers PCR tests daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Robert L. Taylor Community Complex parking lot, 1845 34th Street, Sarasota. This walk-up site offers PCR and rapid tests Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dallas White Park, 5900 Greenwood Ave., North Port. This walk-up site offers PCR and rapid tests Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SCAT buses are sanitized nightly, the county said. Bus operators are provided with face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer.

Riders are required to wear face masks when traveling with SCAT due to a federal mandate.