Port Authority to increase safety protocols at West Mifflin garage after 5th worker there tests positive for covid-19

Port Authority officials announced new safety protocols will be put in place at its West Mifflin garage after another employee tested positive for covid-19.

Spokesman Adam Brandolph said Thursday that a fifth garage worker, who last worked on Monday and is at home in quarantine, was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.

This makes nine Port Authority employees who have tested positive since March, including five from the West Mifflin garage.

Port Authority officials had announced its eighth positive case on Wednesday. That person last worked on April 10 and has been in self-quarantine at home since then.

“First and foremost, on behalf of the Board and all of our employees, we wish our coworkers a speedy recovery,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “We are obviously very concerned about the recent spate of cases at West Mifflin and are working with union leadership to do everything we can to ensure no one else falls ill.”

Changes at the West Mifflin facility as a result of those discussions include further reducing the number of maintenance staffers during each shift, and bringing in a contractor to clean and disinfect the facility after already having done so earlier this month.

All employees at the site will have their temperature taken before starting their shift beginning Sunday. Those with a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be sent home with pay.

“The Authority is continuing to work with public health officials to implement any additional recommendations and will also reinforce with all employees recommended hygiene protocols and social distancing guidelines,” Brandolph said via news release. “(We have) sought to minimize the spread of the virus by disinfecting vehicles more frequently, promoting social distancing, having customers board from the back doors, limiting the number of passengers on vehicles, and asking riders to cover their faces when riding.”

Brandolph said of the authority’s more than 2,600 workers, including 1,300 drivers and 800 mechanics, 85 employees aren’t working because of pending covid-19 tests. Another 49 employees have returned to work since testing negative as of Thursday.