An aerial shot of the Diavik mine (Supplied by DDMI.)
Northwest Territories
Less than 1 min.read

One case of UK COVID-19 variant reported at Diavik

Bailey Moreton
By Bailey Moreton

One case of the UK COVID-19 variant has been reported at Diavik Diamond Mine.

Lab analysis confirmed the virus is the B.1.1.7 variant, which was first identified in the United Kingdom. This is the first reported case of the COVID-19 variant in the NWT. The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer says they think the worker was infected before arriving at the mine.

There is no exposure risk to NWT communities at this time, according to the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer.

The individual and the contacts are self-isolating a location onsite. The individual who has been diagnosed with the variant is isolating and doing well. They are not an NWT resident.

Throughout Canada, there are over 10,800 cases of the UK COVID-19 variant in Canada – with over 4,300 of those being reported in Alberta. There also several hundred cases of two other COVID-19 variants. Two cases of the variant were reported at Fort Chipewyan in March.

The UK COVID-19 variant is reportedly more infectious than the original version of the virus, meaning it can spread more easily.

Bailey Moreton
Bailey Moreton
Bailey is new to the north, arriving from Ottawa where he studied journalism at Carleton University. He has worked for newspapers in Halifax, Windsor, and Ottawa. He came to the north hoping to see polar bears. He will settle for a bison. If you have a tip, send it to 905 252-9781, or [email protected].

Continue Reading

You may also like



cjcd Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Tuktoyaktuk RCMP lay charges in bootleg liquor investigation

RCMP
Tuktoyaktuk RCMP are laying charges following an investigation into liquor bootlegging earlier this week.

Youth engage with Tłı̨chǫ language in unconventional immersive spaces

Northwest Territories
While in-person On the Land learning continues to be central to Tłı̨chǫ language revitalization, the Tłı̨chǫ language division is looking at ways to engage with youth through new immersive platforms, like virtual spaces, that honour history and traditions. Danielle Dacanay with the Tłı̨chǫ Government’s Language Division emphasized that virtual resources are supplements to learning the language in the traditional way, they are not a replacement for it.

New microgrant stream wants youth to plant language seeds outside school

Northwest Territories
“100 youth projects wanted in French,” a new microgrant program wants youth to plant language learning seeds outside school. A network of action-research teams in Canada, other parts of North America, Africa and Europe is launching a youth grant stream to support French language engagement outside of conventional spaces. Youth across the country aged 14 to 30 are eligible for 100 microgrants in support of grassroots initiatives as part of this program run by the Dialogue Network.

Water testing at another Yellowknife school confirms elevated lead and copper

Northwest Territories
Testing at another school site in the city of Yellowknife showed elevated levels of lead and copper in water present in some of its drinking taps. Earlier this month, testing showed four other school buildings in Yellowknife and a school in Behchokǫ̀ had elevated levels of both copper and lead in water. Since comprehensive testing of schools across the territory began this fall, 28 school sites out of 34 announced to date have tested positive for elevated levels of lead.

Testing at more NWT buildings confirms lead in water

Northwest Territories
Fort Smith officials said water testing at municipal buildings has confirmed the presence of lead. According to the announcement, water samples at the Town Hall, the Fire Hall, and the Municipal Services Building continue to show elevated levels of lead.