C Train Halts After Possible Coronavirus Case Among Staff: MTA

NEW YORK, NY — All C train service halted Monday after a possible case of the coronavirus forced the MTA to send workers home, according to transit officials.

C service was suspended in both directions starting around 6:15 a.m. and was still not running by 1 p.m., according to MTA tweets.

MTA officials said the suspension was put in place after an employee self-reported testing positive for the coronavirus, which they are still trying to confirm.

"Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of our workforce, the MTA sent a number of workers home from the crew facility to consult with our in-house office of occupational health," Chief Communications Officer Abbey Collins said in a statement. "We continue to aggressively disinfect workplaces around the clock as per our protocol."

Collins said the MTA expects C service to return Monday afternoon, though she did not mention a specific time.

A trains were running local in both directions between 207 Street and Lefferts Boulevard to serve local stations while C service is suspended, officials said.

Chairman Patrick Foye said in an unreacted interview Monday morning that 30 MTA employees had been confirmed positive so far.

"Those employees are being treated or if appropriate undergoing a home quarantine," he said. "Our public health Office of Health Service is...monitoring their care and coordinating with personal physicians."

The suspended C train service comes as ridership on subways plummet as New Yorkers comply with a statewide stay-at-home order.

The MTA has said they will keep the subways running to help essential service workers get throughout the city during the coronavirus crisis, which had more than 12,000 confirmed cases in New York City as of Monday morning.

"We are moving the healthcare workers, first responders and other essential employees on the frontlines of this crisis," Collins continued. "We thank the 75,000 brave men and women who continue to do their jobs and show us the very best of New York.”

Update: C trains resumed, with service running every 20 minutes around 3 p.m.