Ottawa sends epidemiologist to Keeyask site

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This article was published 12/11/2020 (1407 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — Manitoba Hydro will ramp up staffing at the Keeyask mega development starting Monday, while Ottawa has sent an epidemiologist to track COVID-19 cases at the northern work camp.

Hydro went into reduced staffing at the camp, near Gillam, after a case was identified Oct. 27. As of Friday, 37 people had tested confirmed or presumptive positive for the virus.

The utility insists it has implemented measures greater than public health guidelines. It tested all 713 workers at the site on Oct. 31, and reduced its workforce to 550 people.

Last week, Hydro disputed claims it had used an unreliable test to screen workers. Dr. Barry Lavallee, who helps steer the province’s response to COVID-19, made the allegation on Nov. 4. “They actually did not follow a scientific process,” he said at the time.

Days later, Ottawa deployed an epidemiologist to the Keeyask camp at the province’s request, to inspect testing and tracing protocols.

Manitoba Health says it made the request Nov. 6, and that the field epidemiologist will be on site Nov. 9 to 27 to “provide real-time epidemiological support, to assist with case and contact management, and to provide evidence for local decision-making.” It’s under a federal program that helps provinces and developing countries get outbreaks under control.

NDP MP Niki Ashton said the deployment suggests the outbreak is worse than officials have let on.

“When you have a federal epidemiologist coming to your worksite that has already, for days now, been denied in code-red, it signals trouble,” said Ashton, who represents northern Manitoba.

Lavallee, who leads Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak’s medical group, said he feels vindicated by the deployment.

“With new cases being announced in connection to the outbreak at Keeyask, our hope is that the epidemiologist will be able to provide us with clear evidence and direction on how to mitigate the spread and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak at Keeyask,” Lavallee wrote.

Manitoba Hydro said it welcomed having an expert gather knowledge at the Keeyask site.

“Regular rotations will resume Nov. 16, although it will take a number of days for most staff to changeover. All workers (who go) to site have been self-isolating for 14 days, and will be tested prior to being allowed to travel to site,” wrote spokesman Bruce Owen.

He noted the Northern Regional Health Authority said Hydro has complied with code-red protocols. Ashton said constituents have waited as long as 11 days to be contacted by public health nurses about possible exposure at the Keeyask site.

She said the camp should be temporarily shut down, as local First Nations demanded in May.

“The situation there is a concern that many, including myself, have been warning of, for months. And here we are,” said Ashton.

All four local chiefs have accused Hydro of not being transparent. They criticized the utility for not ramping up protocols when Winnipeg’s case counts started skyrocketing. The utility continues to withhold its pandemic plan, instead it provides only a synopsis.

Hydro has accused the chiefs of airing “irresponsible and misleading” claims and “ engaging in mis- and disinformation at a time when facts are needed.”

Ottawa has also sent a second epidemiologist to monitor three outbreaks on three large Manitoba reserves, at the province’s request. The expert is working with Peguis, Fisher River and Cross Lake from Oct. 29 to Nov. 20.

— Dylan Robertson