Metro worker COVID cases rising, but officials can’t discern reasons
Metro officials said Tuesday that nine more workers or contractors for the transit agency recently tested positive for COVID-19, continuing a trend that has seen bus drivers, paratransit providers and bus mechanics far outpace the general public when it comes to catching the virus.
The newest employees to test positive — two bus drivers, a contracted MetroLift van driver, a fare inspector on the light rail line, a Metro police officer, bus cleaner, bus mechanic, print shop worker and MetroLift dispatcher — increase the total number of Metropolitan Transit Authority staff and contractors to 54. Of those, 32 had direct contact with the public, such as drivers, fare inspectors and customer service staff at Metro’s RideStore shops. Eighteen of the positive test results have come since June 16.
No Metro employees or contractors have died.
Metro’s total COVID cases are outpacing the public at large. More than 1 percent of Metro’s total workforce has tested positive for COVID, compared to 0.05 percent of the Houston area’s adult population — though health department and transit officials are not drawing any conclusions from the disparity.
“To be honest, we don’t know,” Metro spokeswoman Tracy Jackson said. “We do not know if they are getting exposed to it at home or on their own time or at work.”
Ridership, which at one point was about half Metro’s typical use for a work day, has increased but remains well below pre-COVID levels, officials said. Most of the returning riders are on the local bus system, Metro CEO Tom Lambert said last week, as stores and restaurants reopened.
Houston and Harris County health officials said they cannot point directly to a case caused by exposure on mass transit, but that is because the cause of many cases in the community remain undetermined.
Jackson said Metro officials have not been made aware of a serious public health issue or spread from bus operation facilities or along the transit lines. Workers have their temperatures checked each time they come into work and are encouraged to socially distance from others at bus depots.
Metro stopped taking fares in March to reduce contact between drivers and the public and opted for rear-door entry and exit to isolate drivers. Metro is scheduled to resume collecting fares July 12.
Still, Metro continues tweaking its safety policies — including a decision expected Thursday to require all riders to wear masks on buses and trains.
Meanwhile, Metro is installing plastic shields to separate bus drivers from passengers on all buses. Liquid or foam sanitizer also will be made available on buses and trains.