A COVID-19 outbreak is being declared at Canadian Natural Resources Albian site, north of Fort McMurray.
In an email sent to Mix News, the oil company says five individuals have tested positive for the virus.
Four were related to one shift with one believed to have contracted it at a gathering in their home community.
Through contract tracing, 19 other individuals were tested with all their results coming back negative.
The other case was found after an employee began showing symptoms during their time-off.
“Canadian Natural has in place significant precautionary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 and a stringent response protocol that follows the guidance of public health officials at AHS when staff are showing symptoms of illness. We continue to review and enhance our precautionary measures as necessary,” read a statement from CNRL.
They note they’ve been in direct contact with Alberta Health Services and have completed all contract tracing.
Despite this, the government of Newfoundland is asking those who’ve been at the site since July 28 to self-isolate and set up a time to get tested.
Meanwhile, this is the third outbreak in the oilsands.
Five individuals at Horizon contracted COVID-19 in May, while Imperial Oil’s Kearl site saw 114 people test positive for the virus in April and May.
All 119 cases have since recovered.
-An earlier version stated that those who’ve been to the site since July 28 should self-isolate, however, this is just a request from the government of Newfoundland.
