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COVID-19 outbreak at Rainy River Mine in Emo

Three employees test positive, others awaiting results at New Gold property
Nww Gold Rainy River mill
New Gold's Rainy River Mine is located 50 kilometres northwest of Fort Frances in northwestern Ontario. (New Gold photo)

The Northwestern Health Unit has declared a workplace COVID-19 outbreak at New Gold's Rainy River Mine in Emo.

Three employees have so far tested positive, the NWHU reported in a statement Tuesday afternoon, while several others are awaiting test results.

“Employees at the mine can continue working if they do not have symptoms and must follow all control measures required by the workplace,” the health unit said. “Any staff who has or develops symptoms should immediately self-isolate and get tested at an assessment centre and not at the work site.

“If the test result comes back as negative, the staff person can return to work when symptoms have improved. Those with a positive test will be contacted directly by NWHU with further instruction.”

A workplace outbreak is defined as two or more cases in the setting who likely became infected at the workplace, the health unit said.

The agency reiterated warnings to residents of the Emo area of increased risk of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

"The numbers indicate that risk is extremely high in the Emo area, and can affect neighbouring communities," said NWHU medical officer of health Dr. Kit Young Hoon.

There were 14 active cases in the NWHU’s Emo health hub Tuesday.

– TBNewsWatch