A former Timmins councillor's dedication to the health sector was remembered by local leaders today.
Pat Bamford, who represented Ward 4 in Porcupine for 12 years, died yesterday.
In his time on council, he sat on boards for the Timmins and District Hospital, Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, and Porcupine Health Unit (PHU).
At today's daily health roundtable for the COVID-19 pandemic, local leaders shared memories of Bamford and extended condolences to his family and friends.
Before starting his municipal political career, Bamford was a high school educator for 35 years. The last 10 years were in administration at Roland Michener Secondary School.
City flags have been lowered in his memory and will remain that way until May 8.
Mayor George Pirie said the city has lost a very valuable member.
“I don’t think I ever met Pat once without feeling that he was just simply a kind and very generous man,” he said.
PHU medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton said he was a strong member of the board of health.
“He was a very well-respected and active member of the board of health who was constantly advocating for the health of the entire population," she said.
A longtime member of the CDSSAB, CAO Brian Marks said Bamford's leadership will be missed.
“There’s no greater calling than a career dedicated to service,” he said.
At Timmins and District Hospital, Bamford participated on the board before president and CEO Blaise MacNeil started.
“From what I understand from talking with people here, he was always extremely well prepared for board meetings and represented the hospital well on the hospital board,” he said.
For COVID-19, no new cases were reported in the Porcupine Health Unit's area today.
To date, there have been 60 confirmed cases. Of those, 43 are resolved and four people have died.
The health unit is aware of 2,055 tests being done locally, which is an increase of 113 from the last report. There are 617 tests under investigation.
“As the weather gets nicer, we’re seeing some nice sun today, we again remember and encourage individuals who are not in self-isolation to spend some time outdoors while continuing to practice physical distancing and avoiding others from outside their own household. Try to get outside for a walk, play some favourite childhood games, enjoy the sunshine with your loved ones that you live with and don’t forget to put on sunscreen,” said Catton.
By following the public health measures of staying home except for essential trips, physical distancing when you are out, and washing your hands often — Catton said a difference is being made in the region.
“We encourage everyone to not lose sight of the end goal of preventing tragic outcomes from COVID-19 and preventing the spread within all of our communities. Keep up the good work, we will get there, we are getting there, but we can’t stop yet,” she said.
MacNeil is pleased to see the progress the measures have made in the community.
"Through these measures and the hard work of the staff at Timmins and District Hospital has remained at a stable capacity throughout this pandemic we continue to adhere to these public measures. We hope to see the stability continue,” he 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 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 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.
