Follow-up testing of the Baffinland employee at the Mary River mine with a presumed case of Covid-19 has shown that the individual tested negative for the virus, chief public health officer Michael Patterson revealed on Friday morning.
Hark Nijjar Photography
“This will remain a presumptive positive case for Nunavut. We may never know for sure whether the individual had a barely detectable case of Covid-19,” Patterson said. “I continue to ask Nunavummiut to remain vigilant and follow our public health advice.”
The individual and all contacts will no longer be required to remain in isolation. At this point, none of the contacts have developed symptoms consistent with Covid-19.
The only other presumptive case of Covid-19 in Nunavut was detected in Pond Inlet in late April. Similarly, additional testing came back negative in early May.
Anyone who has reason to believe they have been exposed to Covid-19 is advised to call the Covd-hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., or notify their community health centre by phone right away, and immediately isolate at home for 14 days.