A Timmins woman in her 70s is the 30th confirmed COVID-19 case in the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) region.
PHU Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lianne Catton said the woman was tested April 3 and is a contact of a known case. She is in hospital outside of the region.
As of this morning, the health unit is aware of 453 COVID-19 tests submitted locally. Of the 30 positive tests, six are resolved and two people have died. There have been 360 negative tests, and 63 results are pending.
Catton expects the number of local confirmed cases to increase and said we haven't seen the peak yet.
She said local transmission — cases not linked to another case or international travel — are the greatest risk group.
To reduce the spread of the virus, she is urging everyone but essential workers to stay home. When you do go out for groceries, to pick up a prescription or to a medical appointment, Catton said one person per family should go when possible.
She is urging people to take the public health measures seriously.
“Because that is our opportunity to potentially see that number not go as high as it could. And that’s our opportunity to save lives, and that’s our opportunity to protect everyone within our community,” she said.
Catton is also cautioning people that it could be a while before the restrictions are lifted.
“I think it’s going to be a long time. I wish I could give more reassuring news for that, but I think people need to be prepared that this is going to be a while. We are looking at weeks, probably a couple months would be my estimate, but we’ll have to see,” she said.
If you are well and want to enjoy the fresh air with people in your immediate household, she said that is OK. Outdoor get-togethers, even with physical distancing, are discouraged.
“The one advantage we have in the north is we have lots of wide open spaces. We have a very different population density and very different capacity for individuals to enjoy the outdoors with their immediate family members only in a safe manner,” she said.
If you are unwell, being tested, under investigation or follow-up with the health unit, or have travelled internationally, she said you must stay home and follow public health guidance.
“However, as we have seen in other areas, when we start to see people taking greater risks with those types of things then unfortunately sometimes we see changes in what becomes acceptable,” she said.
There are now COVID-19 assessment centres in four communities — Timmins, Iroquois Falls, Cochrane and Kapuskasing. They are by appointment only.
To access one of the sites, you must be referred by your primary health care provider or the health unit.
The PHU COVID-19 information line is open until 7:30 p.m. today and can be reached at 1-800-461-1818 or by calling the health unit office in your community.
