A second individual with COVID-19 has been identified at the Gahcho Kué satellite winter road worksite which has caused an outbreak to be declared.
That brings the total number of individuals at the worksite with COVID-19 to two, with the first coming on Wednesday. Both are doing well, says Public Health.
Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer for the NWT says the territory defines an outbreak in a closed facility as one or more confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 where infection is acquired within the facility.
“Public Health has determined that there is a high probability that transmission occurred at the worksite.“
The winter road camp is located more than 40 km away from the Gahcho Kué mine and camp workers have not had any contact with the mine.
Everyone at the worksite has been tested and they’ve all been assessed as contacts of COVID-19. All contacts are currently isolating.
Public Health as well as the team onsite are organizing further assessment and isolation of workers to prevent and detect any further transmission.
The company is working with public health to mitigate risk for incoming crew members and this includes completing a deep cleaning of the site before staff changeover.
Routine monitoring and follow-up will continue with all known cases, contacts and with the incoming crew.
