Cambridge Bay, NU, October 1st, 2021 – Agnico Eagle Mines Limited reports a COVID-19 outbreak at its Hope Bay Project site near Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Since September 27, 11 individuals working at the site have presumptively tested positive for COVID-19.

The 11 presumptive cases were placed in isolation until they were extracted from site following Nunavut’s Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) recommendation. The test results will be confirmed by an external laboratory. These individuals were tested prior to their arrival to site and all results were negative. Three individuals tested positive during the 5-day on-site retest protocol; following these positive results, a site-wide retesting protocol was implemented and identified the additional positive cases. Following the contact tracing exercise, 92 potential contacts were identified and these individuals were placed in isolation and extracted from site on a special charter flight. These individuals have been asked to self-isolate and must follow the recommendations of their provincial health authorities.

Since Nunavummiut workers have not yet returned to the Hope Bay Project site, no Nunavummiut have been in contact with the presumptive cases or close contacts. The risk of contamination for the surrounding communities and for other Nunavut mines remains very low.

All employees at the Hope Bay Project were tested again between September 27th and 29th. The results of all employees, excluding the 11 presumptive cases, are negative. As a preventive measure, and upon recommendation of the Nunavut’s Office of the Chief Public Health Officer, daily testing of the site will occur until further notice.

The crew change that was planned for September 30th has been cancelled.

The no-contact protocol between the mine sites and the communities is still in effect and remains a priority in order to continue protecting the communities.