Sparwood, B.C. mayor concerned about Albertan COVID-19 outbreak

Apr 18, 2020 | 1:51 PM

SPARWOOD, B.C. – A small community in southeastern B.C. says an outbreak of COVID-19 in northern Alberta could impact their town.

On Wednesday, April 15, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health reported an outbreak at the Kearl Lake Oilsands project north of Fort McMurray.

Since then, 12 people connected to the work camp have tested positive.

Sparwood Mayor David Wilks posted a statement to his Facebook page regarding this incident.

“Many residents in the Interior Health region travel to work camps in Alberta for employment and that there is potential for transmission between communities and between our provinces.”

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The Sparwood area, located near the provincial border on Highway 3, sees many from southern Alberta coming to work or recreate.

Medical health officers in B.C.’s Interior Health region are recommending that people who are contacts or potential contacts of Kearl Lake workers self-isolate for 14 days from their last exposure or their last flight home.

LNN’s sister station in Cranbrook B.C. reported Saturday that 150 people have tested positive in the region to date.

Wilks’ full statement can be read below.

by David Opinko