Baffinland’s Nunavut mine sees new COVID-19 case

“There is no evidence of transmission at Mary River mine at this time”

A haul truck is seen near Baffinland’s Mary River iron mine. A new COVID-19 case has been confirmed at the site. (Photo courtesy of Baffinland)

By John Thompson

There’s a new confirmed case of COVID-19 at Baffinland’s Mary River iron mine in Nunavut.

Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s chief public health officer, announced the case in a news release issued today.

“Contact tracing was initiated by mine staff according to mine protocols, and identified contacts were also placed in isolation,” states the news release. “There is no evidence of transmission at Mary River mine at this time. Nunavut’s Public Health team is ready to provide support and respond if, and when, it becomes necessary.”

Currently all mine staff are from southern Canada and fly directly to the site on northern Baffin Island. In mid-March, Baffinland sent its Nunavut-based workers home, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to Nunavut’s communities.

“As there are no Nunavut residents currently working at the Mary River mine, the risk of COVID-19 spreading to communities due to this positive case is very low,” the news release states.

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