With the Porcupine Health Unit reporting no new positive COVID-19 tests today, medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton is urging people to continue following public health measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Again, I can’t emphasize enough it is just not time to let our guard down. We need to keep up this good work. We need to find ways to enjoy the nice weather and take advantage of our wide open spaces, but again with members of your immediate household only,” said Catton in today's daily health table update.
So far, there have been 55 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the health unit's region. Of those, 34 cases are resolved and three people have died.
The health unit is aware of 1,585 tests being completed, which is an increase of 104 from the last report. There are 520 tests under investigation.
In northeastern Ontario, the Porcupine Health Unit has the highest rate of infection compared to other health units in the region.
According to today's Ontario Health report, the Porcupine Health Unit's rate of infection is 6.47 per 10,000 people. That report has the region's positive cases as 54, however.
Nearby, Public Health Sudbury and District's rate is 2.41 per 10,000 people. That is based on 48 cases and that health unit has since reported new cases as well.
Provincially, the rate for 10,000 population is 9.09.
Timmins and District Hospital president and CEO Blaise MacNeil said the PHU rate is an "alarming statistic".
"It’s abundantly clear that this virus is well established in the community. For the health of our community and our healthcare sector, it is vital that we all do our part to ensure this pandemic is as short as possible,” he said.
Mayor George Pirie also wants people to focus on that local rate of infection.
“We’re doing the right thing, but realize that of course the danger is still amongst us,” said Pirie.
An outbreak of the virus was declared at Timmins and District Hospital Sunday, April 19 after a patient tested positive.
Since then, two more patients and two staff members identified through the investigation have tested positive. A third staff member not associated with the outbreak investigation has also tested positive.
Today, MacNeil said the investigation process is ongoing and the hospital continues to work with the health unit for it.
Timmins Police Chief John Gauthier also gave an update on what's happened for policing in the city this week.
From Sunday, April 19 to Thursday, April 23, he said they received four COVID-related calls.
“Those numbers have decreased drastically from the start of the month. We have been monitoring the COVID-related calls into the police service since March, but in particular it’s 59 calls in total since the 1st of April,” he said.
“That is good, but I don’t want to discourage people from calling us over the weekend. We know that the warmer weather is coming.”
There are COVID-19 Assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, 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 during the week from 9 a.m. to 5 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 include cough, fever, and difficulty breathing as well as sore throat/hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, loss of smell or taste, fati
