News & Updates: Newsroom

RTA News

 

June 19, 2009

 

Confirmed: RTA bus operator has H1N1 virus

 

CLEVELAND – The Cuyahoga County Board of Health today confirmed that a male bus operator for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

 

The operator, age 56, has been with RTA since 1980. On May 25, he returned from a vacation, and worked until June 8 – about 11 days ago. During that time, he primarily drove mornings, Monday-Friday, on route 86. The route serves:

• BEREA: Sprague Road Park-N-Ride, Berea City Hall and Baldwin-Wallace College
• CLEVELAND: Brookpark Rapid Transit Station, Fairview General Hospital, Kamm’s Corners Shopping Center and the Warren Village Shopping Center
• LAKEWOOD: the Warren Road - Madison Avenue area and Lakewood Park

 

He also drove a bus on routes 81, 49 and 75.

 

His exact hours were:

• Route 86: 4:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on May 26-29 and 31, and June 2-5 and 8.
• Route 81: 2:43-11:39 a.m. on May 25.
• Route 49: 12:36 - 6:38 p.m. on June 3.
• Route 75: 2:23-6:48 p.m. on June 5.

 

He is recuperating at home. Before returning to work, he will have to be cleared by a doctor, and RTA Medical Services.

 

Since early May, all buses and trains have been wiped down daily with special disinfectants to kill related germs. RTA identified the coaches that were used by the operator from May 25-June 8, and thoroughly cleaned each one at the Triskett garage on Cleveland’s West Side.

 

Since early May, RTA has taken pro-active efforts to protect customers and employees from possible cases of H1N1. Besides the upgraded cleaning processes, operators have been provided with hand sanitizers. An internal task force was created to deal with the H1N1 flu issue. RTA officials are monitoring the local, state and national situation and receiving updates from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

 

"We have been in contact with the RTA regarding this employee," says Chris Kippes, Director of Epidemiology and Surveillance at the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

 

"There is no need to be alarmed. We remind people that this virus is circulating in the community. There are everyday common-sense things that you can do to protect your health and lessen the spread of the novel H1N1 virus, as well as seasonal flu viruses."

 

These things include:

• Wash your hands.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

 

If you are sick with a flu-like illness:

• Stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin, or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer, to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
• Avoid going to work or school.
• Delay travel plans, and limit your contact with others.

 

County health officials say flu symptoms include a fever with a cough or sore throat. Persons with these symptoms should seek appropriate medical care. People who become ill from the flu generally develop symptoms between 1-7 days after being exposed to the virus.

 

For more information, visit:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
• Cuyahoga County Board of Health, 216-201-2091, www.ccbh.net
• Cleveland Department of Public Health, 216-664-3609, www.clevelandhealth.org

 

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:

• Jerry Masek, RTA, 216-566-5211
• Chris Kippes, County Board of Health, 216-857-1430