Did you share a ride from Toronto to Ottawa last week? Ottawa Public Health wants to talk to you

OTTAWA — Ottawa Public Health says it is looking to get in touch with six people who took a rideshare from Toronto to Ottawa last week, after one person recently tested positive for COVID-19.

A PSA from the City of Ottawa says the individual who tested positive was contagious when they shared a ride with six other people, including the driver, on Feb. 16 using a private rideshare service.

"Ottawa Public Health is looking to contact the six individuals who should immediately self-isolate and contact Ottawa Public Health by calling 613-580-6744 for further testing," the PSA said.

The white van left Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre at around 1 p.m. Feb. 16 and arrived in Ottawa at around 6 p.m. with stops at the Bayshore Shopping Centre, the CF Rideau Centre, and the St. Laurent Shopping Centre.

"Ottawa Public Health can confirm this was not a ride provided through an app-based service such as Lyft or Uber. This was a private rideshare service advertised on Kijiji," a statement from OPH to CTV News Ottawa said.

The public health unit is reminding people to only share rides with others in their households.

"If travelling with others outside of your own household, wear a mask, avoid any shared food or drinks, and avoid car travel with others if you’re sick," the PSA said.