Thunder Bay / MARATHON – COVID-19 – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) is actively investigating an outbreak of COVID-19 associated with Barrick Hemlo, Williams Mine located outside of Marathon. This is being done in close collaboration with mine management.
Three individuals with COVID-19 have been identified in recent days, all associated with a specific work area at the mine. Working with mine management, TBDHU is assessing whether any other workers were exposed as well as identifying and following up on any contacts outside of the mine. The mine has already undertaken many measures to reduce any spread of the virus at the mine site. These are currently being enhanced and reinforced and the mine has communicated these enhancements to its employees, contractors, the community and First Nation partners. Further measures will be taken as needed to manage this situation.
Individuals identified as close contacts have been contacted directly by a public health nurse and provided instructions about what they need to do. At this time, anyone who is not specifically contacted by public health, would be considered at low risk. If as the investigation unfolds additional close contacts are identified they will be contacted directly by a public health nurse.
As a general recommendation, TBDHU reminds everyone to monitor themselves carefully for symptoms, immediately self-isolate if they have even one symptom and to call the TBDHU at (807) 625-5900 or call your local assessment centre to arrange for testing.
