A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at RYAM Lumber in Hearst.
Two employees at the Rayonier Advanced Materials site are confirmed cases that are related, according to the Porcupine Health Unit.
"The PHU is working closely with the workplace to ensure the infection prevention and control measures are in place. The management team at RYAM Lumber is taking all the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection and prevent the transmission of COVID-19," reads the update.
One new COVID-19 case of the virus was reported today in the Kapuskasing area.
There are currently three ongoing outbreaks in the health unit region, including RYAM Lumber.
Extendicare Kapuskasing is the largest outbreak in the region to date.
It was declared Jan. 7. So far, 47 residents and 20 staff have been confirmed cases, according to Mushkegowuk-James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin.
There are 31 active resident cases and 15 active staff cases. Eleven residents have died.
One of the positive tests linked to the outbreak is also a possible variant of concern.
Bourgoin has asked the province to take over the management of the 61-bed long-term care home and to "provide all of the necessary resources to the local health partners."
An outbreak was also declared at Foyer de Pionniers in Hearst Jan. 29 after a staff member tested positive. As of yesterday, the 67-bed long-term care home was still listed as an active outbreak by Public Health Ontario.
To date there have been 292 confirmed cases of the virus in the region. Of those, at least 193 are recovered and 20 people have died.
There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst, and Hornepayne.
The Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 information line can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
