A Cochrane school is reporting a COVID-19 case.
A letter sent to families from Ecole catholique Nouveau-Regard says a person from the school has tested positive.
"The individual is currently being monitored by the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) and is in self-isolation at home while the investigation continues," reads the letter.
"The school has been keeping records of all students and staff attendance within the school and cohorts. This information has been shared with the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) to help them identify close contacts of the case. Public health is currently following up with students and staff identified as close contacts — these students and staff have received a letter from the PHU, and will all be called within the next 24 hours."
Today, the Porcupine Health Unit reported a probable COVID-19 case in the area of Matheson, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls. They are in self-isolation.
"The province defines a probable case as a case where a person who has not had a laboratory test but has COVID symptoms and who has either travelled to an affected area, had a close contact with a confirmed case, or lived or worked in a facility known to be experiencing an outbreak. A probable case can also potentially involve a person with COVID symptoms and has an inconclusive laboratory test result," reads the health unit news release.
Probable cases are not included in the health unit's total number of cases.
There have been 116 confirmed cases of the virus in the health unit region.
The school letter advises people to monitor for symptoms.
According to the health unit, an infected person can spread COVID-19 48 hours before experiencing symptoms or testing positive.
Typical symptoms include fever, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, difficulty swallowing, runny nose or nasal congestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Atypical symptoms are unexplained fatigue or malaise, muscle aches, delirium, unexplained or increased number of falls, acute functional decline, exacerbation of current chronic conditions, chills, headaches, croup, and conjunctivitis.
To access COVID-19 testing, call your health care provider or the health unit.
The COVID-19 information line is open today from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst, and Hornepayne.
