Early Detection Urged by Union as Positivity Rate Stands at 1.2%

DECEMBER 11 -- Between late October and early this month, approximately 8,000 on-site Covid tests have been administered to MTA employees across all agencies, including the commuter railroads. Another 400 tests have been administered at Northwell Urgent Care centers. All combined, 102 MTA workers tested positive, including 77 at NYC Transit locations. That’s a positivity rate of 1.2%, which is well below the statewide average of 5.44 percent.

Local 100 President Tony Utano said that the numbers reflect well on the union's efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus in the workplace, as well as the membership's adherence to social distancing efforts and mask usage.  "We can never let our guard down for one second with this virus, but we should all be pleased that, at the moment at least, we're going in the right direction."

The Local 100 leadership, which urged the MTA to start this early detection screening program, strongly encourages everyone to take full advantage. “Early detection is our best defense until the vaccine is available,” added President Utano. “Wear your masks, keep your distance as much as you can, and get tested. Help protect yourself, and our union brothers and sisters. We are in this fight together.”

Nearly 80 NYC Transit workers who had the virus - but didn’t know it - were identified. By getting tested, these workers were able to get treatment and quarantine before they even experienced symptoms like fever and fatigue. That helped prevent the virus from spreading at work, home, and in the community. There is no limit on the number of times a Local 100 member can be tested. Regular testing is permitted.

The schedule of locations and dates can be found on the MTA portal, the union website twulocal100.org and the union Facebook page.