Nearly 6,000 tests for COVID-19 have been done in the Timmins area since the start of the pandemic.
The Porcupine Health Unit is reporting no new cases of the virus today. The last positive test was May 10, and there are currently no known active cases in the region.
To date, there have been 65 confirmed cases of the virus. Of those, 57 are resolved and eight people have died.
The health unit is aware of 5,982 tests being done in the region, which is an increase of 162 since the last report Friday, June 12. In the past week, the health unit completed 439 tests, the week prior about 440 tests were done. There are currently 225 tests under investigation.
Last week, the second phase of reopening business was initiated in most of the province, including Timmins. People are also able to expand their close social circle to 10 people.
Starting June 18, visits to long-term care and retirement homes are gradually resuming.
"Seniors, including those in these homes, are at a high risk for the worst severe outcomes for COVID-19. It’s likely been a long time since you’ve seen your loved ones but protecting them and keeping them safe is a priority. Do what you can to keep COVID-19 out of these homes by making sure you meet the visitor requirements," reads today's update from the health unit.
For visits, the home must not be in an outbreak. The facility must also have procedures for things such as infection prevention and control, scheduling, and create and maintain a list of visitors.
For visitors, the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care is requiring people to pass an active screening questionnaire, attest to home staff that you've tested negative for COVID-19 withing the previous two weeks, and comply with long-term care infection prevention and control measures, including face or surgical/procedural masks.
The first phase of visiting at long-term care facilities is for outdoor visiting only and one visit is allowed per resident at a time.
Testing is open to anyone who feels they need to be tested, even if you don't have symptoms. To access testing, call your health care provider or the health unit.
There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst and Hornepayne.
The PHU COVID-19 hotline is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
