• Peel's transition

News Release: March 6, 2020

Possible COVID-19 exposure on MiWay Transit bus

MISSISSAUGA, ON. (March 6, 2020) – The Region of Peel – Public Health and the City of Mississauga learned earlier today of a possible exposure of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) with an individual who rode the TTC (Bathurst, Yorkville and Islington stations), Mi-Way (Route 108N) and GO Transit (Route 27) on March 2-4, 2020. The individual is recovering at home in self-isolation.

The Toronto resident contracted COVID-19 through travel and commuted on the 108N Express Bus on March 2,3 and 4 to their place of work in the Meadowvale Business Park. The case is not related to any other Region of Peel cases. The individual travelled through the following stations and times:

March 2nd
9:13 a.m. – Islington Station – Boarded 108N Meadowvale Business Express Exited at Financial Drive
6:12 p.m. – Syntex Court @ Financial Drive – Boarded 27 Milton GO Bus – Exited at Yorkdale Station

March 3rd
9:25 – Islington Station – Boarded 108N Meadowvale Business Express Exited at Financial Drive
6:12 p.m. – Syntex Court @ Financial Drive – Boarded 27 Milton GO Bus – Exited at Yorkdale Station

March 4th
9:13 – Islington Station – Boarded 108N Meadowvale Business Express – Exited at Financial Drive
6:12 p.m. – Syntex Court @ Financial Drive – Boarded 27 Milton GO Bus – Exited at Yorkdale Station

The public is being notified for transparency and out of an abundance of precaution. The risk for most people on public transit is low. People on the buses in question on the above days should do the following:

• If you are feeling well, with no symptoms of respiratory illness and you do not receive a call from Public Health, continue your daily routine. You do not need to call Public Health and you do not need to seek health care for COVID-19.
• If you are sick with respiratory symptoms for which you would not normally seek care, stay home, rest, and practice good infection prevention and control advice during cold and flu season (i.e., wash your hands frequently and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow).
• If you do develop symptoms of respiratory illness and you would normally seek healthcare, call Public Health at 905-799-7700 and call ahead to your healthcare provider to let them know about your symptoms; If you require emergency medical assistance, please call 911 and let them know about a possible transit exposure.

Peel Public Health is working with the individual's employer to support staff.

"It's important to know that not everyone on the bus would have had close contact with the individual. However, the individual was symptomatic and if you are developing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, we'd ask that you self-isolate and call Peel Public Health as soon as possible," said Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Medical Officer of Health, Peel Public Health.

MiWay Transit and Peel Public Health are working together to ensure the public are protected and understand the ways which they can protect themselves at this time.

"The City of Mississauga was already in the process of rolling out enhanced cleaning measures on our transit fleet at the time the news was shared with us that a possible exposure occurred," said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. "We are taking all the steps necessary to ensure the safety of both the public and our staff. It's important to remember that the risk to the public of the spread of the virus remains low."

Protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19 and common illnesses such as the flu by taking the following precautions such as washing your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding contact with those who are ill and avoiding touching your eyes, mouth and nose as much as possible.

The City of Mississauga and Peel Public Health continue to work closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and other local health providers and municipalities to monitor the situation and protect the community.

Stay updated on the novel coronavirus in Peel at peelregion.ca/coronavirus and by following us at @RegionofPeel.

Media Contacts

Jeff LeMoine
Communication Specialist
Region of Peel
Tel: 289-325-4700