COVID outbreak in Alberta may have impact on B.C. Interior workers

A COVID-19 outbreak in Alberta may affect workers in the Interior Health region.

On April 15, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, reported an outbreak of the virus at the Kearl Lake oil sands project, north of Fort McMurray.

To date, 12 people connected with the work camp have tested positive for COVID-19.

Many residents in the Interior Health region travel to work camps in Alberta for employment and there is potential for transmission between communities and between provinces.

IH medical health officers recommend that people who are contacts or potential contacts from this site self-isolate for 14 days from their last exposure to the site or to their flights home.

As well, anyone in the community who experiences signs of illness, such as a fever or dry cough, immediately self-isolate for 14 days.

“In all communities across IH, we need to assume the COVID-19 virus is present and stay home as much as possible, practise physical distancing, and wash our hands frequently with soap and water to prevent the spread of the illness,” stated an IH news release.