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A Ritchies bus driver tested positive for coronavirus, the company director confirmed.
A staff member at a Maori public health unit in West Auckland also tested positive for the virus.
Ritchies director Andrew Ritchie said other drivers had been tested and “are fine.”
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A Ritchies bus driver on the Northern Express route has been diagnosed with Covid-19. (File photo)
Chief Health Officer Dr. Ashley Bloomfield said the bus driver is a Northern Express driver and has been linked to the current group.
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Bloomfield said no close contacts had been identified from the buses as of Sept. 3-4.
The driver had no symptoms while at work and was wearing a mask and gloves, he said.
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service said the driver was working between 5.30am and 1pm on September 3 and 4pm and 6.15pm on September 4.
“Passengers did not interact with the driver and used the back door to get on and off the bus,” ARPHS said.
“They were seated six feet from the driver as the front seats were blocked by social distancing measures. There were no cash transactions and passengers used AT HOP cards. “
ARPHS said drivers who drove the bus after the driver tested positive were asked to take the test and CCTV footage from the bus station is being reviewed to determine if other staff members are close contacts.
“The case is linked to the current existing Auckland group and the bus driver did not contract Covid-19 while working.
“Anyone riding the bus with the driver right now is a casual contact, with a low risk of developing the virus. They don’t have to isolate themselves, but they should get tested if they develop Covid-19 symptoms. “
The positive case highlighted the importance of public transportation passengers using QR codes and AT HOP cards, ARPHS said.
A total of 319 passengers traveled on services during the two days between Albany and the city of Auckland.
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A staff member at Hāpai Te Hauora in West Auckland’s Henderson tested positive for Covid-19.
Henderson-based Maori health unit Hāpai Te Hauora confirmed that an employee had tested positive for the virus.
He said the Auckland Regional Public Health Service had identified the employee’s close contacts.
“These people have already been contacted and advised to get tested and self-isolate for a full 14 days.”
Hāpai Te Hauora said the employee and members of his household have acted to protect the community by taking the test and isolating themselves.
“The risk to other unidentified Hāpai Te Hauora staff as close contacts, and employees working for other organizations in the same building is considered very low.”
The spokesperson said that Hāpai Te Hauora is a non-clinical and non-client-oriented public health service.
It offers policy, advocacy, research and leadership services across the country.
ARPHS said the risk to other unidentified Hāpai Te Hauora staff members as close contacts, and those employees who work for other organizations in the same building, is considered very low.
“However, since there are currently cases of Covid-19 in the community, it is still important to watch for signs of the virus.”
The news comes after a student at St Dominic’s Catholic College, also in Henderson, tested positive for the virus.
The Hāpai Te Hauora website said that it has held the Maori regional public health contract for Tāmaki Makaurau for 20 years.
