The Skeena
The latest major COVID outbreak in the Skeena is at a gold mine north of Stewart.
“Northern Health Medical Health Officers have declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Pretium Resources Brucejack Mine,” reads a release this week from the health authority, “after finding evidence of COVID-19 transmission among employees and contractors at the underground gold mine.”
So far 22 people have tested positive. Two dozen people are self-isolating at the main mine camp. “There are approximately 485 employees working at the project site; proactive COVID-19 testing is underway, and anyone identified as cases or close contacts have been instructed to self-isolate either on-site, or in their home communities,” the release reads.
The outbreak is not totally contained at the mine, however. “The Company has also become aware of employees and contractors who are currently off site and have contracted the virus,” reads a press release from Pretium Resources.
The company is currently implementing travel restrictions and other pandemic-fighting measures. “The health and safety of our workforce and surrounding communities remains our top priority and our primary focus is to support all employees and contractors at the mine site,” said Jacques Perron, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pretivm.
The outbreak declaration won’t be lifted until mid-March at the earliest.
