The Spokane Transit Authority announced Wednesday an employee has COVID-19.

The employee began self-isolation last week after noticing COVID-19-like symptoms, according to a news release. STA leadership was notified of the employee’s test result Tuesday.

STA said the employee is recovering from mild symptoms.

“I see the stress and anxiety naturally felt by our employees who are providing public transit throughout this public health emergency. I also see and hear heartfelt stories from employees and customers about the good STA is making possible for others,” CEO E. Susan Meyer said in a statement.

“This is a new phase of the pandemic; one where a coworker is now affected. While difficult, we’ll manage through this together by adhering to our safety measures, continuing to use PPE’s, practicing proper hygiene and social distancing, and by providing helpful resources to our employees,” Meyer’s statement continued. “I am profoundly grateful to the men and women on the STA team who provide the lifeline service our communities require.”

The Spokane Regional Health District will notify anyone who had close contact with the employee and could have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

STA announced earlier Wednesday it was dropping express bus routes after ridership declined 70% in March, compared to the same month last year.

The agency had been wiping down and mopping buses and vans with disinfectant each night since earlier this month, in addition to offering gloves and hand sanitizer to “frontline” workers, such as drivers.

On March 17, STA closed most waiting areas in its downtown Plaza to limit gatherings below 50. Buses also moved to rear-door boarding.

And Meyer made the decision later that week to go against the guidance of numerous health and emergency management officials and distribute its stockpile of 2,380 N95 masks to bus and paratransit drivers on a voluntary basis.

At the end of last week STA suspended fare collection and began offering free van rides to people older than 60.

Thomas Leighty, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1015, which represents unionized STA employees, said the union agrees with all the measures STA has put in place during the last few weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“STA has been doing as much as they can right now,” Leighty said. “I’ve been impressed with the measures they’ve done so far, and I’m glad they’ve been working with us.”

The union has asked for the installation of plastic shields for drivers, which could protect drivers from disease exposure and assaults, but Leighty acknowledged that measure is far down the road.

Leighty said many employees will likely feel more nervous going to work but it won’t keep them from doing their jobs, knowing Spokane residents without other transportation options rely on them. He does not know if the person with COVID-19 is a union member because STA is protecting the individual’s privacy.

“I am hopeful that this is just one person,” Leighty said. “Transit is an essential public service. And we’re out there just like nurses, police and fire, putting our health on the line.”