Update March 17: Two RTA Employees Test Negative for COVID-19; Third has no symptoms but remains under quarantine
RTA employees who were asked to quarantine pending COVID-19 evaluation do NOT have the coronavirus. The third employee never exhibited any symptoms but will continue with the 14-day quarantine.
The employees were notified earlier this week by their respective cruise lines that they may have come in contact with a COVID-19 infected traveler, and they were quarantined for 14 days.
The two employees who tested negative for the coronavirus were diagnosed with the common flu. They remain off work on sick leave.
Three Greater Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority (RTA) employees may have been exposed to the coronavirus due to recent travel on cruise lines. All three employees are on paid sick leave, per RTA policy, while they follow CDC protocol for testing and quarantine.
The employees, two members of the RTA police force and one train operator, were notified by their respective cruise lines that they may have come in contact with a COVID-19 infected traveler.
We are closely monitoring this situation with local health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It is more important than ever that we all self-monitor our health. We continue to ask RTA employees and passengers to practice good hygiene at all times. If you have symptoms of respiratory illness, contact your doctor immediately.
RTA is continuing its enhanced cleaning protocol announced March 5 and disinfecting all buses, trains, paratransit and non-revenue vehicles every 24 hours with a cleaning agent approved by the CDC.
Click here for more information from the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.