As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Timmins and District Hospital president and CEO Blaise MacNeil is concerned about staff's ability to sustain the increased intensity for an indefinite period.
Yesterday, the province revealed new pandemic modelling numbers suggesting the wave of new community spread cases appears to have peaked.
In today's local daily health table update, MacNeil said with that announcement it's “incredibly important that we continue to adhere to the emergency measures that have been put in place.”
“Modelling shows that we are making progress in the fight against COVID-19, however that’s exactly what it is — progress. It’s very clear that while we continue to make progress we are not there yet. Timmins remains an identified hotspot as a district in the northeast and expanded testing in our community is an important step in identifying those with very mild cases who are completely without symptoms,” he said.
No new COVID-19 cases were reported by the Porcupine Health Unit today.
There have been 50 positive cases in the region so far. Of those, 30 are resolved and three people have died.
The health unit is aware of 1,196 tests being completed, which is an increase of 55 from the last report. There are 404 cases under investigation.
For the confirmed cases, 28 are in Timmins and 17 of those are resolved and two people have died, 21 are in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls and 12 of those are resolved and one person has died, and one is in the area of Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland and is resolved.
There are three outbreaks in effect in the city. They are at Timmins and District Hospital, St. Mary's Gardens and Spruce Hill Lodge.
Today MacNeil talked about the intensity effort at the hospital.
“My staff and physicians are skilled professionals who are trained to react to critical situations with very intense effort. In the normal course of operation there are periods of time where they can be decompress. I have never observed the intensity of sustained effort for such a long duration in my career. I am concerned about our ability to continue to sustain this intensive effort for an indefinite period of time,” he said.
He explained the added intensity is in the measures in place for screening, and the vigilance in taking extra precautions treating people who are positive or suspected of having the virus.
"The anxiety level of my staff, as I said yesterday, my staff has friends and family that they’re concerned about, as well as their own health and that never goes away,” he said, adding they come to work every day.
“It’s not that they’re seeing more patients, it’s just that the awareness and the vigilance — my staff is ramped up to a significantly high level.”
Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) CEO Brian Marks echoed MacNeil's sentiments for emergency medical services and paramedics.
“Every call they go on is at a new level of intensity these days, so continued thanks to them and to their healthcare partners at the hospital and PHU,” said Marks.
So far, MacNeil said the hospital hasn't been overwhelmed.
“This is largely the result of ongoing capacity planning here at the hospital and the public health measures that are currently in place. As we continue to see an increase in testing, we can assume we will continue to see an increase of positive cases in our region,” he said.
The best way he said people can help the hospital is to make sure the pandemic is as short as possible.
"The best way to do that is to stay the course, adhere to the social restrictions and avoid a temptation of enjoying social contact as the weather improves,” he said.
At the City of Timmins, clerk Steph Palmateer said they've received 74 inquiries and complaints related to the virus since April 1, and that there were an additional seven this week. To date no charges have been laid.
For people who are out for essential items, he said if you run into family or friends not to talk and visit in the store.
“You have to be mindful of other customers who are trying to get in and out. We have lineups outside waiting, so if you’re stopping and chatting in the store you’re preventing them from accessing the goods and services that they require. We’d just like to make that reminder, encourage people that they should be doing their shopping once per week and try as much as possible to limit that to one family member,” he said.
At CDSSAB, Marks said they have more than 1,000 units in the city for seniors. Access is restricted, and he reminded people to not visit at the facilities. He also implored residents to not visit with their neighbours.
At the facilities, he noted there is also cleaning seven days a week in high traffic areas such as handrails, door knobs and elevator buttons.
A COVID-19 Assessment Centre opened in Hearst today and has hours Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
There are also assessement 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 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.
