News Release: Advisory to Individuals who have returned from Mary River Mine in Nunavut

NIPISSING & PARRY SOUND, ON – The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) is issuing an advisory to individuals who have arrived in the Health Unit district from the Mary River Mine Site of Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation in Nunavut since April 15, 2021, and have not already been contacted by the Health Unit. Even if they received a negative COVID-19 test result prior to departure, and are not experiencing any symptoms, these individuals are to immediately self-isolate and call the Health Unit at 1-844-478-1400.

In addition to self-isolating, individuals who have returned from the mine since April 15, 2021, who currently have symptoms or have previously had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at any time since April 15, should immediately seek testing and advise all household members to self-isolate.

An outbreak of COVID-19 was declared at the Mary River Mine site of the Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation in early May, involving the variants first identified in India and UK, and many Health Units have reported cases as a result. To date, the Health Unit is aware of several cases and high risk contacts in the Health Unit district associated with the outbreak.

“Public Health is working together to ensure all individuals who are returning from the Mine have appropriate follow up,” says Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, Public Health Physician. “It is important that we do everything we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to family and household contacts as well as across the communities within the Health Unit district.”

Individuals can book an appointment to be tested at any of the following Assessment Centres:

Almaguin (East Parry Sound Mobile Assessment Centre)

Book an appointment: 705-774-8378
Location: South River Ambulance Base, 11313 Hwy 124, South River

Huntsville COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Book an appointment: 1-888-383-7009; press 2 for Huntsville
Location: Active Living Centre, 20 Park Drive, Huntsville

Mattawa COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Book an appointment: 705-744-5511 ext. 3010
Location: Hôpital de Mattawa Hospital, 217 Turcotte Pk Rd, Mattawa

North Bay COVID-19 Assessment Centre

There are two options when you are making your appointment to be tested for COVID-19:

Book an appointment: 705-474-8600 ext. 4110
Location: North Bay Regional Health Centre, 50 College Dr., North Bay

West Nipissing COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Book an appointment: 705-580-2186
Location: 219 O’Hara St., Sturgeon Falls

West Parry Sound COVID-19 Assessment Centre

For people with COVID-19 symptoms, call 705-746-4540 ext. 5030 to book an appointment.
For people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19, call 705-746-4540 ext. 5036 to book an appointment.
Location: 70 Joseph St., Unit 105-106, Parry Sound, entrance at the back door, please ring doorbell at the time of your appointment and stand back past the sign as directed.

For more information on accessing services at local assessment centres, visit www.myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19testing.

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Media Inquiries:

Catherine Levac-Lafond, Bilingual Media Relations Coordinator
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca