Public health issues advisory linked to COVID-19 variant outbreak in Nunavut

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) is advising anyone who has returned to the region from the Baffinland Mary River Mine site in Nunavut since April 30 to immediately begin self-isolation for two weeks due to a COVID-19 outbreak of the B.1.617.2 (India) variant.

Those individuals are also asked to contact WDGPH at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 for further instruction.

"A COVID-19 outbreak of the B.1.617.2 variant ... at the Mary River Mine has been ongoing since May 2," states a WDGPH May 31 press release.

"All individuals who have returned since April 30 are considered high-risk contacts. To date, [WDGPH] is aware of three cases and seven local high-risk contacts related to the mine outbreak."

The advisory is being issued to ensure any individuals who have returned since April 30 are aware of their potential exposure to COVID-19, notes the release.

"Self-isolation of all high-risk contacts and their household members is required regardless of being symptomatic, asymptomatic, vaccinated or if a negative test result was obtained prior to departing the mine."

Anyone who returned more than 14 days ago and who has not yet been tested should stay in self-isolation until a negative test result is received, public health officials say.

For more information on where to get tested and about contact tracing visit wdgpublichealth.ca/coronavirus.