A second out-of-territory worker, already in self-isolation, has tested positive for COVID-19 at the Gahcho Kué Mine.
The new case raises the number of confirmed positives of the virus to two and prompted the territory’s Chief Public Health Officer to declare an outbreak at the mine.
Both active cases are safely self-isolating and are reportedly doing well.
Dr. Kami Kandola says that these cases are unrelated to the outbreak declared on January 29th at the Gahcho Kué winter road worksite located 40 km from the mine.
“The second positive case was identified by Gahcho Kué medical staff using onsite rapid testing technology, and was confirmed by a PCR test at Stanton Territorial Hospital,” she adds.
The individual is among the 11 contacts of the source case identified at the mine earlier this week. The two positive cases, and all confirmed close contacts, have been at a dedicated isolation area since January 30th.
The CPHO confirms there is no identified risk to NWT communities related to the two cases at the mine.
