Presumptive cases of COVID-19 at Mary River Mine

News Release

Presumptive cases of COVID-19 at Mary River Mine

IQALUIT, Nunavut (July 15, 2020) – Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, today announced two presumptive cases of COVID-19 at the Mary River Mine, 176 kilometres southwest of Pond Inlet.

“The individuals and their contacts are asymptomatic and were immediately placed in isolation. Additional swabs were taken and sent for confirmatory testing at a southern lab, with results expected early next week,” said Dr. Patterson.
At this time, there is no evidence of transmission within the Mary River Mine site. Nunavut’s Public Health team is ready to provide support and respond if, and when necessary.

“We are actively monitoring this situation, but no Nunavut residents have worked at Mary River Mine since March. The risk of spread of COVID-19 in our communities in relation to these presumptive cases remains very low,” said Minister of Health George Hickes.

This current situation does not affect the current public health measures, Nunavut’s Path or the Common Travel Areas with Churchill, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories.

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., or notify their community health centre right away by phone, and immediately isolate at home for 14 days.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough or difficulty breathing. The best protection from spreading or catching the disease is physical distancing, handwashing for at least 20 seconds, coughing and sneezing into an elbow and staying home as much as possible.

An update will be provided at a press conference at 2 p.m. today.

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Media Contact:

Cate Macleod
Press Secretary to Premier Savikataaq
867-975-5059
@email

Scott Hitchcox
Communications Specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5712
@email