​GoTriangle Bus Driver Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Press release from the Wake County Government:

By Stephen R. Walston on 3/30/2020 - 7:35 PM

The Wake County Public Health Division has learned that a GoTriangle bus driver has tested positive for COVID-19. This person operated a bus from March 18–20 while experiencing coronavirus symptoms.

“Because the bus driver came to work for three days while symptomatic, it’s possible bus riders or other GoTriangle employees were exposed to the virus,” said Wake County Medical Director Dr. Kim McDonald. “The fluid nature of transit makes it impossible to determine who may have had close contact with the driver, so we’ve set up a hotline for concerned residents to call for guidance.”

The GoTriangle information line is 919-857-9375. It informs callers that the bus driver operated the following routes March 18–20 from 5:25 a.m.–9:35 a.m. and 3:05 p.m.–7 p.m.:

• Route 300 – Travels between the Regional Transit Center, the Cary train station and the GoRaleigh station; and
• Route 305 – Travels between Apex at Lake Pine Drive and Waverly Place and the GoRaleigh station.

Anyone who worked at GoTriangle or rode those routes during that timeframe and starts to experience COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate for seven days after the onset of symptoms. Common symptoms include fever of 100.4 or higher, cough and difficulty breathing.

If your symptoms are mild, you do not need testing. Once your symptoms resolve, you should remain at home without fever for three more days. If serious illness develops, you should call your primary care provider. If you have trouble breathing, you should call 9-1-1.

“This situation illustrates perfectly why we ask people who are sick not to come to work,” said Dr. McDonald. “Staying at home and practicing social distancing are critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting the health and safety of our residents.”

Protecting YourselfThe county’s public health team encourages you to protect yourself from COVID-19 and any other flu-like illness by following these simple steps:

• Practice social distancing measures.
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Stay home if you’re sick and don’t send sick children to childcare.

Staying UpdatedWake County has made it easy for you to stay updated on the latest information about COVID-19.

You can visit our COVID-19 webpage, which has a set of frequently asked questions to educate residents in English and in Spanish, a list of COVID-19-related closures and service changes, as well as an email address and phone number that people can use to ask personal health-related questions about COVID-19.

The county is also sharing important information on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

This press release was produced by the Wake County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.