Editor's Note: The Porcupine Health Unit has released potential COVID-19 exposures, including a high-risk exposure for a Nov. 23 Thunder Air flight from Timmins to Moosonee. Read the update here.
There are five COVID-19 cases in Attawapiskat, according to the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA).
These are the first confirmed cases of the virus reported in the community on the James Bay coast since the start of the pandemic.
"Local public health is currently following up with anyone identified as close contacts," reads WAHA's news release.
Close contacts are considered to be someone within two metres of a confirmed case while they were infected for at least 15 minutes.
"An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or two days) before the person had any symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19. Passing a person in the hallway or in a store is generally not considered close contact and has an extremely low risk of spreading the virus. Public Health will contact you if you are considered a close contact. At this time, we recommend that everyone continue to monitor for symptoms," according to the release.
"At this time, we recommend that everyone continue to monitor for symptoms. If ANY symptoms develop, isolate immediately and call your local assessment centre or your health care provider to arrange testing."
The first case of COVID-19 in James Bay and Hudson Bay was reported in early September in Moose Factory. A total of four cases were confirmed in the community in September, and all have been resolved.
Today, the Porcupine Health Unit has reported six new cases of the virus. There was one in Timmins, and five in Attawapiskat. According to the health unit, one case exposure is under investigation and the rest are listed as contacts of a confirmed case.
There have been a total of 113 confirmed cases in the health unit region since the start of the pandemic. There are seven known active cases.
People with questions would call WAHA at 705-658-4544 or visit its website.
