Five new COVID-19 cases and two deaths are being reported by the Porcupine Health Unit today (June 21).
Five additional cases of the more contagious delta variant B.1.617.2 have also been confirmed. Since the numbers were last updated Friday, there have been 108 recoveries.
Two of the new cases are in Timmins and three people are in the James Bay area.
Two people are the contacts of a case and the exposure of three cases is under investigation.
The health unit did not indicate where the people who died are located.
"Out of respect for the families, no further information will be shared. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends during this difficult time," reads the bulletin.
Today's update includes 12 new delta variants, however, some of these were reported by PHU medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton reported some of these cases on Friday in an update on when restrictions could be loosened in the region. There have now been a total of 29 confirmed delta variants in the region.
To date, there have been 1,969 confirmed cases of the virus in the region. Of those, 1,738 are recovered and 29 people have died. There are 202 known active cases — 14 in Timmins, 177 in the James Bay region, 10 in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls and Smooth Rock Falls, and one in the Kapuskasing area.
So far, at least 47,281 people have been vaccinated, which is an increase of 310 since Friday's report. There have been 71,385 doses of the vaccines administered.
There is a drop-in, pop-up clinic today from 2-8 p.m. at the Timmins Square parking lot and in Matheson at Tanny's Flowers and Gift Shop parking lot from 207 p.m. Both clinics are using the Pfizer vaccine and are for first or second doses.
There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Matheson, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst, and Hornepayne, as well as communities on the James Bay coast.
The Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 information line can be reached at 705-360-4819 or 1-800-461-1818.
