After more than a month of no new COVID-19 cases, a positive test is being reported in a Timmins man.
According to the Porcupine Health Unit the 66th case is a man in his 20s who was tested June 17. The exposure is under investigation and he is self isolating.
"The case was acquired, and testing was conducted outside of the Porcupine Health Unit region," reads a PHU news release.
Provincial protocol requires the cases to be attributed to the health unit where the case permanently resides.
“While there is no concern for exposure to the public in our region from this case, it is an important reminder that COVID-19 is still circulating. We must continue to act as though exposure is both possible and probable in our communities,” said Dr. Lianne Catton, PHU medical officer of health in a news releas.
“Please continue the great work done so far – wash your hands often and well; practice physical distancing – 2 meters from others, and where this is a challenge wear a mask or face covering; practice cough and sneeze etiquette and do not touch your face. It is a shared responsibility; we all play a role in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and preventing the tragic outcomes we have seen.”
To date, there have been 66 confirmed cases in the health unit region. Of those, 57 are resolved and eight people have died.
Testing is open to anyone who feels they need to be tested, even if you don't have symptoms. To access testing, call your health care provider or the health unit.
There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst and Hornepayne.
The PHU COVID-19 hotline is open weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
