Canadian Nuclear Laboratories has announced that two positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the Chalk River Laboratories.
In a statement late Tuesday afternoon, CNL said the first positive case was confirmed on Saturday, October 24.
“The confirmation of a second case today establishes what is classified as a suspected outbreak according to local health officials in Renfrew County.”
CNL said that while the contact tracing process is underway by the Renfrew County and District Health Unit, the company is treating the second case as a “workplace transmission” out of an abundance of caution.
“All employees who work in the affected work areas have been sent home, and a full disinfection of the spaces is being administered. The return to work of affected staff will be carefully arranged when health experts deem it is safe to do so.”
The Renfrew County and District Health Unit said it has been working closely with CNL to identify all staff considered to be “close contacts” of the positive cases.
“The identified staff have been given direction to go home immediately, self-isolate, and arrange for testing through RC VTAC.”
CNL said that since the pandemic began, the company has enacted workplace measures to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 at its sites across Canada and to protect the health and safety of its workers, contractors and visitors.
“In addition to mandatory face masks, physical distancing requirements, room capacity limits and increased sanitation measures, CNL has shifted a significant segment of its workforce to remote operations.”
CNL says it also maintains a “mandatory daily screening process” in order to be granted access to the Chalk River site.
“CNL will continue to review and update its COVID-19 countermeasures to protect the health and safety of its employees and the communities in which they live.”
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