MTA Head Pat Foye Tests Positive For Coronavirus, Agency Says

NEW YORK, NY — The man in charge of running New York City's subway system as the city deals with the effects of the nation's most severe coronavirus outbreak has tested positive for the deadly disease, but is feeling fine, the MTA announced Saturday.

MTA Chairman and CEO Pat Foye is "isolating at home, feeling good and maintaining his full schedule," following his positive test for coronavirus, also called COVID-19, according to an MTA statement. The MTA leader's final day in the office was Wednesday, when the MTA board held its monthly meeting, and he worked from home on Thursday and Friday, according to the statement.

"Pat's top priority remains the health and safety of our customers and employees and ensuring New York’s healthcare workers, first responders and other essential personnel can get to and from work during this public health crisis," an MTA spokesperson said in a statement.

MTA staff have been instructed to follow the state Department of Health's guidelines on coronavirus such as social distancing and limiting work except for providing essential services, a spokesperson for the authority said.

The MTA recently announced cuts in service on commuter rail lines and city subways and buses amid a sharp drop in ridership due to the effects of coronavirus.