Eleven individuals with ties to Syncrude have tested positive for COVID-19.
Spokesperson Will Gibson tells Mix News they’ve been in contact with Alberta Health Services who are now declaring an outbreak at the site.
Earlier this week, Syncrude announced six employees had tested positive, however, each was believed to have contracted it while off-site. It’s believed two or more individuals may have now contracted the virus while working on-site.
Each is currently self-isolating off-site.
“We’re working actively with AHS to further test and validate compliance to our COVID controls in addition to our continued work with contact tracing,” said Gibson.
Those who’ve been in contact will be contacted by AHS and will need to self-isolate and be tested.
Meanwhile, operations on-site are continuing as normal.
Employees and contractors are being reminded to continue following all COVID-19 measures to help limit the potential spread of the virus.
“We’re expecting our employees to follow recommended and mandated government measures such as physical distancing in the workplace and on commuter buses.”
This is the fourth outbreak to be declared in the oilsands.
Imperial Oil’s Kearl Lake had the biggest with 114 individuals testing positive, while Canadian Natural Resources saw five individuals test positive at their Albian and Horizon sites.
