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THUNDER BAY - The Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed three of five positive cases of COVID-19 reported on Sunday linked to the Lac Des Iles Mine are from Thunder Bay or surrounding region.
The five positive cases at the mine were first reported on Sunday. Positive cases of COVID-19 are tracked based on the home address of the individual and not the city or location of exposure.
“All of the cases associated with Lac Des Iles will be like an outbreak number, so we will be able to monitor and know what’s happening,” said Dr. Janet DeMille, chief medical officer of health with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
The three individuals who tested positive are all male with one in his 50s, one in his 20s, and one in his 30s.
According to DeMille all the workers have been moved off the mine site located approximately 85 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
“Public health was there, as well as the management to support each individual worker with providing them the guidance and the education and helping them get where they needed to go,” she said.
An employee at the mine tested positive for COVID-19 last week and the mine was placed under quarantine. Impala Canada, which operates the mine, said it would shut down operations on Monday, leaving only a temporary care and maintenance crew on site.
All workers have been told to self-isolate until April 27, with some isolating in a designated hotel, while others were permitted to return home. Workers are also self-isolating at a hotel in Thunder Bay.
“All the workers have been very well instructed about the rules around self-isolation and the hotel is prepared to handle that as well,” DeMille said. “We will be working with the hotel and the workers and will continue to support them during their 14-day period.”
DeMille added that workers from the mine will only be tested if they are showing signs of infection.
No other positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed as of Monday in Thunder Bay and surrounding region.
