Covid19 outbreak at Russia’s largest gold producer PJSC Polyus

First reports about Covid19 outbreak at ‘Polyus Krasnoyarsk’ came on 9 May with 89 confirmed cases. 

By 12 May the number of infected workers grew threefold to 269 people, making Krasnoyarsk region the worst affected in Siberia and fourth in Russia by the number of cases. 

Easing of the self-isolation mode in the region was postponed until the end of May due to the virus outbreak at the mine, said governor Alexander Uss. 

A mobile hospital for 400 beds was set up in Severo-Yeniseyskiy district with a team of medics sent to serve it. 

Some workers were flown to hospitals in Krasnoyarsk city. 

Olimpiada gold mine in Krasnoyarsk region. Pictures: PJSC Polyus

Most of the positively-tested workers showed no symptoms of the virus. They were placed into quarantine at medical facilities at Olimpiada mine, the company’s statement said.  

Nearby districts and the city of Krasnoyarsk were asked to prepare hospital beds in case the situation worsens, the governor said.  

Earlier major Covid19 hotspots in Russia included Gazprom’s Chayanda natural gas field in Yakutia with approximately 3,000 cases and Novatek’s Belokamenka LNG construction site in Murmansk region with 1,680 infected people. 

PJSC Polyus describes itself as Russia’s gold mining champion, and the third in the world by attributable gold reserves and gold resources. 

The company operates in Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk and Magadan regions and in Yakutia.