Northern B.C. LNG project now has 41 COVID-19 cases among employees

A COVID-19 facility outbreak in northern B.C. has nearly tripled its cases in a four-day span.

The LNG Canada Project Site in Kitimat, according to Northern Health’s update on Monday (Nov. 23), now has 41 total infections since the outbreak was declared this month, all among employees, 34 of which are currently listed as active.

Initially, 14 cases were found, thus leading to the outbreak officially put in place last Thursday (Nov. 19).

There are 16 people in self-isolation at the $40-billion project site’s work camp, while the rest are quarantining in their home communities.

“All of these cases are considered to be associated with this outbreak and occurred in the same general work location,” explains Northern Health, noting the outbreak will remain in place for a minimum of 28 days from the start.

“On-site employees are being screened. Contact management and tracing have gone well, and will continue. Those identified as cases and close contacts have been instructed to self-isolate.”

The authority adds there are no public exposures detected in the District of Kitimat or its surrounding area at this time.

It’s also working with JGC Fluor, the LNG project’s prime contractor, to ensure safety guidelines are followed.

Kitimat LNG Canada is one of three COVID-19 facility outbreaks currently in effect for northern B.C.

Two men died at Dawson Creek’s Rotary Manor after contracting the virus; its outbreak was declared on Nov. 2 after a single-staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

In Fort St. John, the North Peace Seniors Housing Society apartments found six lab-confirmed cases and ordered an outbreak on Sunday (Nov. 22).

All outbreaks will be in place for 28 days from the declaration date.

As of this publication (Nov. 24), there have been 649 COVID-19 cases detected in Northern Health, which includes a record 153 active cases, six deaths, 18 people in hospital, nine of whom are in critical care, and 490 recoveries.