With the number of COVID-19 cases being reported dropping, Porcupine Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton is cautiously optimistic.
“As with Ontario, we do see a slight decrease in the health unit area with respect to the numbers of cases. It is with cautious optimism that we say this is good news, but it does not mean, again, that we are out of the woods. It does not mean that we cannot see an increase in cases," she said today, adding it also doesn't mean people can stop the good work they've been doing.
Today, a 65th positive test for the virus locally has led to a new institutional outbreak being declared at Extendicare Timmins.
The outbreaks at Timmins and District Hospital and Spruce Hill Lodge have also been declared over, said Catton.
Businesses with streetfront access are allowed to open for curbside pickup today.
Late last week and into the weekend, nurseries, garden centres and hardware and safety supply stores were able to open for in-store and curbside pickup.
As there are increased opportunities for people to be out in public, Catton said people need to continue working together to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Catton is still encouraging people to stay home as much as possible, except for essential trips, to wash your hands well and frequently, and to stay physically distanced when out in public. If you don't feel well, you should stay home.
“Although we are seeing some businesses open we need to remember that it is not a return to business as usual. We have shared resources, guidance documents, posters, and continue to work with any local businesses and workplaces to support the measures necessary to protect all of our staff, our clients, our community members going forward,” she said.
In the health unit's region, there have been 65 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those, 49 cases are resolved and five people have died.
The newest positive case is a woman in her 70s who is a resident at Extendicare Timmins. An outbreak of the virus has been declared at the facility. It is the second outbreak of the virus at the facility since the start of the pandemic.
The Ministry of Health requires an outbreak to be declared when one positive case is confirmed in a resident or staff member.
There is currently a surveillance being done that has all residents and staff at long-term care homes being tested.
Since that initative started, three outbreaks have been declared. In addition to Extendicare, they are at the Golden Manor in Timmins and South Centennial Manor in Iroquois Falls.
With people anxious to get back to a semblance of normal, the health unit has concerns.
Catton cautions people that it's not a return to things as they once were.
“It is making sure that we are really cognizant of the fact that we still need to be cautious, that we still need to make sure we’re able to stay physically distanced in stores, that it’s not a sign to run out and make multiple trips to stores throughout the week and to visit in stores and to take our time and leisurely shop around and visit with people. We still need to be cautious about things,” she said.
There are COVID-19 Assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst and Hornepayne. They are by appointment only and you must be referred by your primary healthcare provider or the health unit.
The PHU COVID-19 hotline is open today from 9 a.m. to 53 p.m. It can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
The health unit is doing expanded testing on people with milder symptoms for a limited time.
The expanded list of symptoms includes cough, fever, and difficulty breathing as well as sore throat/hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, muscle aches, runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting.
