After three days of no new COVID-19 cases being confirmed locally, the Porcupine Health Unit is reporting three new positive tests.
In the health unit's region, there are now 42 confirmed cases of the virus.
All of the new cases are in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls. All were tested April 13.
The 40th case is a man in his 60 and is a contact of a confirmed case. He is in self-isolation.
The 41st case is a man in his 30s who is a contact of a confirmed case. He is in self-isolation.
A woman in her 60s is the 42nd case. The investigation is ongoing, and she is admitted to hospital.
The health unit is aware of 811 COVID-19 tests being submitted locally. Of the 42 positive tests, 21 cases are resolved and two people have died. There have been 593 negative tests, and the results of 176 are pending.
Of the local cases, 24 are in Timmins, 17 are in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls, and one is in the area of Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland.
The health unit is doing expanded testing on people with milder symptoms for a limited time.
Up until now, the main COVID-19 symptoms have been cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. The expanded list now includes: sore throat/hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, muscle aches, runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting.
There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing 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 information line is open until 7:30 p.m. today. It can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
