A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared for a mining site in northern B.C.
Northern Health says 22 people at the Brucejack Gold Mine have tested positive for the virus with 17 active cases, 14 of which are in self-isolation at the main camp.
Operated by Pretium Resources Inc. with about 485 employees, the project is located 65 km north of Stewart, which equals roughly 765 km northwest of Prince George.
Northern Health says it's been working with Pretium on monitoring this cluster since early February and anyone identified as cases or close contacts have been instructed to self-isolate either on-site, or in their home communities.
“In partnership with local health authority, BC Northern Health, contact tracing was undertaken to determine the potential for additional exposures,” reads a statement from Pretium today (Feb. 11).
“Close contacts, identified through the tracing process, have been notified and moved into isolation. Isolation protocols will remain in effect for the duration established by BC Northern Health, with regular monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms.”
Northern Health adds the outbreak will stay in place for a minimum of 28 days.
As operations are set to continue, Pretium says, enhanced outbreak protocols are being implemented, which include travel restrictions to and from Brucejack Mine.
“The health and safety of our workforce and surrounding communities remains our top priority and our primary focus is to support all employees and contractors at the mine site,” adds Pretium President and CEO Jacques Perron.
“Following the information provided by BC Northern Health we have implemented travel restrictions, as part of our established outbreak protocols, to mitigate the risk of transmission and limit impacts.”
As of this publication, Northern Health has recorded 3,902 COVID-19 infections since March last year, to which 91 people have succumbed to the virus since.
There are currently 354 active cases, eight people in critical care among 10 hospitalizations, and 3,433 recoveries.
For more information about Pretium or the Brucejack Mine, you can visit its website.
