SCAT Bus Driver Tests Positive For COVID-19: County

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — A Sarasota County Area Transit driver tested positive for COVID-19 Monday.

The unnamed driver operated the Route 17 bus from 1:45 to 7:10 p.m. Thursday and from 3:15 to 11 p.m. Friday, according to a news release from Sarasota County.

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County recommends that anyone who rode these routes on those dates should monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms.

Mild to severe symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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These symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Any passenger that suspects they have been exposed or experiences COVID-19 symptoms should contact their health care provider, DOH-Sarasota or visit the free state-run testing sites at 5400 Bradenton Road in Sarasota, the county said.

Riders are required to wear face masks when traveling with SCAT due to a federal mandate, the county said.