Ongoing monitoring and testing has identified additional COVID-19 cases associated with an outbreak declared by NH Medical Health Officers on February 10, 2020, at the Pretium Resources Brucejack Mine north of Stewart, BC.
February 19 update: To date, there have been 42 laboratory-confirmed cases associated with the outbreak. There are 9 active cases (i.e. still in the infectious period) currently in self-isolation at the main Brucejack Mine camp. There are approximately 485 employees working at the project site; anyone identified as cases or close contacts have been instructed to self-isolate either on-site, or in their home communities.
Northern Health Medical Health Officers declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Pretium Resources Brucejack Mine north of Stewart, BC, after finding evidence of COVID-19 transmission among employees and contractors at the underground gold mine. The company implemented further outbreak management measures. On site testing continues to be underway.
NH has recommended:
- Immediate one time testing on the workers with the highest exposure risk.
- Anyone who was tested should not leave camp until the results from the testing has come back.
- Anyone who tests positive, is symptomatic, or is a close contact, should isolate in camp.
- That the company work with those individuals who should isolate, but aren’t willing to stay in camp, to ensure an appropriate safety plan is arranged before they return home, so they aren’t posing additional risk to others.
There may be additional measures made between Brucejack Mine and the Tahltan Central Government.
More information on public exposures, school exposures, and facility or community outbreaks of COVID-19 within the Northern Health region.