More Port Authority of Allegheny County employees test positive for covid-19

Four more Port Authority of Allegheny County employees have tested positive for covid-19 since last week, authorities announced Wednesday.

Spokesman Adam Brandolph said three of them tested positive on Saturday and one had a positive test Wednesday.

He said all four are recovering in a medically directed self-quarantine at home.

Those employees include:

• A mechanic at the South Hills Junction who last worked on June 30.

• A bus driver from the East Liberty garage who last worked June 27.

• A bus driver from the West Mifflin garage who last worked June 28.

• An auto shop worker at the South Hills Junction who last worked July 2.

Management at the respective locations ordered a deep cleaning and sanitization of the facilities, and where appropriate, the last vehicles they drove, as soon as the employees reported that they were self-quarantining pending the results of their tests, Brandolph said.

“Contact tracing investigations are underway for each of the employees, and coworkers with whom they were in close contact will be held off work as a precaution until they are medically cleared to return,” the spokesman said. “As a result of these cases, Port Authority will begin mandatory on-site temperature screenings at their work locations.”

These four bring the total number of Port Authority cases to 21.

A majority of them came out of the West Mifflin garage.

More than 100 Port Authority workers aren’t working because they are self-quarantining, have pre-existing health conditions or other covid-19 issues.

The Port Authority employs more than 2,600 people, including 1,300 drivers and 800 mechanics.

Brandolph said vehicle capacity limits remain in place so riders can social distance as much as possible, and face coverings are required at stops and stations, when boarding and riding as well as at the downtown service center.