Confirmed COVID-19 outbreak at Mary River Mine
News Release
Confirmed COVID-19 outbreak at Mary River Mine
Iqaluit, Nunavut (May 2, 2021) – The Chief Public Health Officer for Nunavut, Dr. Michael Patterson today confirmed a COVID-19 outbreak at Mary River Mine, about 176 kilometres southwest of Pond Inlet. As of today, the mine has nine active cases of COVID-19.
“All positive individuals are isolating and doing well. We are monitoring the situation, and will support the mine in its response if needed,” said Dr. Patterson. “There are no Nunavummiut currently working at the mine, and Baffinland has maintained its protocols to restrict contact with communities. This particular outbreak has no impact on public health measures currently in place, and the risk to Nunavummiut in nearby communities is low.”
Bafffinland Iron Mines notified the Department of Health of the outbreak on Friday, April 30 and swabs from the mine were sent to Iqaluit for confirmatory testing. The Nunavut lab has confirmed all nine test results.
In response, all non-essential travel to and from the mine, including scheduled shift changes, have been delayed until at least Friday. Positive cases of COVID-19 at the mine site will be counted in the individuals’ jurisdictions and will not be included in Nunavut’s counts.
Anyone who has reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 is advised to call the COVID-hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST, or notify
their community health centre right away, and immediately isolate at home for 14 days. Please do not go to the health centre in person.
An update will be provided at a press conference on Tuesday, May 4 at 11 a.m. EDT.
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Media Contact:
Cate Macleod
Press Secretary to Premier Savikataaq
867-975-5059
@email
Chris Puglia
Acting Manager Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
@email