New case of COVID-19 confirmed at Meadowbank mine site

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. announced a new case of COVID-19 at its Meadowbank mine site, north of Baker Lake.

An employee tested positive for the virus at the mine on Aug. 23, said Agnico Eagle spokesperson Carl Charest in a Friday release.

Charest said the risk of contamination is “controlled and remains very low in the communities.”

But a separate release from the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health said contact tracing with the positive individual revealed a possible exposure to one Nunavut worker who left the mine site on Aug. 21.

In the meantime, the GN has temporarily suspended flights in and out of the site to allow time for contact tracing and testing.

“The contact between the positive individual and the Nunavut resident is considered low risk, and the Nunavut resident is being followed by Public Health,” said Rosann Seviour, Nunavut’s acting chief public health officer, in a release.

The infected individual and other mine site contacts are isolating at Meadowbank, the GN said.

This is the first case of the virus reported at the mine site since last March.

Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms can call the territory’s COVID hotline at 1-888-975-8601 or contact their local health centre to arrange testing.