An infectious GO Train passenger who travelled from Vaughan to Toronto last week has been confirmed positive for a variant of concern case of COVID-19.
York Region Public Health has issued a public notice regarding the passenger who rode the Barrie line train on Tuesday, Feb. 9 and Wednesday, Feb, 10 during a period of communicability, according to York Region director of corporate communications Patrick Casey.
The individual, who was asymptomatic at the times of travel and wore a mask as required, rode the train from Rutherford to Union stations and returned by GO Train the same evenings, Casey said.
"Given the new provincial guidance for the follow-up of variants of concern, a notification is warranted to assist with contact tracing efforts," he added.
The individual is in self-isolation since developing COVID-19 symptoms on Thursday, Feb. 11, Casey said.
The public health unit received notification of the case on Wednesday, Feb. 17, and the infection was later identified through provincial laboratory screening as a variant of concern. The lineage is not yet determined, the public notice states.
The public notice is issued to anyone who rode the following GO Train routes:
- Tuesday, Feb. 9
- Boarded 7:33 a.m. southbound from Rutherford Station to Union Station with arrival at approximately 8 a.m.
- Boarded 5:05 p.m. northbound from Union Station to Rutherford station with arrival at approximately 5:40 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 10
- Boarded 7:33 a.m. southbound from Rutherford Station to Union Station with arrival at approximately 8 a.m.
- Boarded 5:05 p.m. northbound from Union Station to Rutherford Station with arrival at approximately 5:40 p.m.
Individuals on any of these trips should take the following actions:
- Get tested for COVID-19 at a COVID-19 assessment centre as soon as you are able, even if you are currently asymptomatic; if you are currently experiencing symptoms, no matter how mild they may seem, self-isolate immediately and seek assessment and testing at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre
- Monitor yourself for new or worsening signs and symptoms related to COVID-19 until Wednesday, Feb. 24 (14 days after last possible exposure)
- Anyone with at least one symptom of COVID-19 or exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 is encouraged to visit an assessment centre for testing.
