COVID-19 case confirmed at McClean Lake uranium mill in northern Sask.

McLean Lake Uranium Mill. (Courtesy Orano Canada)

SASKATOON — An employee at Orano Canada's McClean Lake uranium mill has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the company.

"It has been determined that the source of the infection was outside of the work environment," the firm said in a statement.

"Prior to arrival on site the employee was not aware of their contact with someone who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19."

The employee is in isolation at the mill camp, and contact tracing and testing through Public Health began promptly, the company said.

"The health and safety of our employees is our highest priority,” Orano Canada President and CEO Jim Corman, said in the Sept. 20 statement.

"We wish our employee a speedy recovery and I urge everyone to follow all precautions in limiting the spread of COVID-19.”

A company spokesperson says that the positive case has served as a good reminder as to why it is following precautions and taking COVID-19 seriously.

“It does change things a little bit, but it does give us a reason to double down on those efforts,” communications manager Carey Hyndman told CTV News.

Hyndman said that the company isn’t just following safety precautions for its employees, but also for the people in the surrounding northern communities.

“We've got a vulnerable population in the North and so we have been talking to the Northern leaders about this as well just to make sure they're comfortable and understanding about what, what is happening on our site,” said Hyndman.

"We wish our employee a speedy recovery and I urge everyone to follow all precautions in limiting the spread of COVID-19.”