Some Uber riders in Philadelphia are receiving messages from Uber, informing them there accounts have been disabled until further notice. Suspensions are a result of a “public health concern” related to the COVID-19 outbreak. According to three riders who spoke with Philly Mag, they are uncertain as to why their accounts were blocked.

Uber’s decision and its message to blocked riders have left far more questions than answers. Some riders are wondering if a driver reported them for coughing or if their driver was exposed to the coronavirus. Others speculated they could have been exposed to the virus after an infected rider departed from the car they used.

In California, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen of San Francisco told Uber to reach an agreement with drivers regarding short-term benefits during the COVID-19 outbreak. Uber’s lawyers and the opposing party’s lawyers are required to update the judge of their agreement progress on Friday, April 3.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the judge’s orders were issued instead of making a determination as to whether to reclassify thousands of Uber drivers in California as employees. That decision would have qualified them for state sick-leave pay during the pandemic.

In an effort to meet with the demand for the rapid delivery of food, toiletries, and cleaning products amide the COVID-19 pandemic, Uber’s Eats unit is accelerating its push into grocery delivery. Currently, the expansion includes a number of new alliances with retailers, including French supermarket Carrefour.

According to the Financial Times, the San Francisco-based company is launching the new service in locations around the world, from Brazil to France. This move into supermarket deliveries brings the company closer in competition with companies like Amazon.

In January 2020, Uber implemented a new policy allowing drivers in California to see the destination of a ride before deciding whether or not to take the business. While this was done as an effort to strengthen the argument that workers are independent and should not get employee benefits, it’s now being used by some drivers as a way to avoid certain communities.

While Uber claims they have not seen an overall pattern of drivers avoiding disadvantaged areas, they informed the Financial Times they are remaining vigilant and taking proactive steps to ensure all passengers receive the services they request.

According to the Hood County Department of Public Health, a rideshare driver has tested positive for COVID-19. They are currently alerting riders and encouraging those who experienced contact with the driver in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to self-isolate and monitor their health closely.

The driver is the third person in Hood County confirmed with the illness. It’s suspected they contracted it through an infected rider. This is not the first time a rideshare driver has been diagnosed with COVID-19, as similar situations have transpired in places like New York City.