Construction will go on at a major northern B.C. project despite public health officials declaring a COVID-19 outbreak.
BC Hydro says it's been notified by Northern Health of the declaration at Site C as seven of the 13 cases for the virus among two clusters are linked as of this morning (April 29) and steps are being taken to ensure the safety of every workforce member.
This is set to be in effect for 28 days retroactive to Wednesday (April 28), but Northern Health says there's no need to close or postpone construction at this time.
"The outbreak is among workers of Peace River Hydro Partners, the project’s main civil works contractor, specifically those working in the contractor’s office complex and on the dam core excavation," explains BC Hydro in a news release, adding 100 workers are currently isolating either at home or at the site.
"Northern Health has determined there is no need to stop work on the project, and work will continue as planned."
BC Hydro says work won't be stopped on the project and will continue as planned. Since start of March, there have been more than 40 cases reported at the site. There are 13 active cases and 100 workers isolating at home or on-site. #bcpoli #covidbc #covid19bc #cityofpg #sitec
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) April 29, 2021
According to Northern Health, there are 34 lab-confirmed cases identified among five clusters of COVID-19 activity.
Since March 1, 2021, more than 40 lab-confirmed infections have been reported at the $16-billion project in Fort St. John and 91 since the pandemic reached the north a year ago.
“Over the last year, we’ve implemented a comprehensive plan to avoid the spread of COVID-19 at Site C, including aligning with health guidelines, screening every person accessing the site daily, using thermal scanners at various entry and exit points, and maintaining increased cleaning and physical distancing,” says President and CEO Chris O’Riley.
“However, the declaration of the outbreak demonstrates that we need to do better, and we will. In addition to the steps we are already taking, we will look to implement further measures in the coming days.”
He adds BC Hydro will continue working with Northern Health to ensure all public health guidelines are being met.
This is set to include more signs 'to encourage compliance,' adding more hand-sanitizing stations and improving physical distancing measures in office spaces.
As of this publication (April 29), Northern Health has recorded 7,116 COVID-19 cases since March 2020, which has included 140 deaths linked to the virus.
There are currently 197 active cases, eight people admitted into critical care among 19 hospitalizations across the region and 6,776 recoveries.
