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5 new COVID cases confirmed, 15 previously reported cases variants of concern, school outbreak declared

The health unit strong recommends students, staff from Iroquois Falls Secondary School self-isolate until April 21
2020-05-11 PHU building
The Porcupine Health Unit. Maija Hoggett/TimminsToday

The Porcupine Health Unit is reporting five new cases of COVID-19 and has declared an outbreak at an Iroquois Falls school.

Fifteen previously reported cases have also screened positive for a variant of concern.

The outbreak is at Iroquois Falls Secondary School after three cases were confirmed at the school and are linked, according to the health unit.

The health unit is monitoring the people and following up with students and staff who are close contacts.

"In addition, health unit staff will be completing an infection prevention and control assessment at the school to support the implementation of enhanced public health measures," reads the bulletin.

The health unit strongly recommends all students and staff self-isolate until April 21. 

"If self-isolation is not possible, limit your outings to essential purposes such as groceries, medication and work if you are not able to work remotely," according to the health unit.

This week is spring break for students.

Earlier today, the province announced students will not return to in-person learning after this week. Instead, all students in the province will do teacher-led remote learning.

The new cases being announced are all in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls and Smooth Rock Falls.

Two of the cases are linked to the school outbreak. Three people are the contact of a case. All of the people are in self-isolation.

To date, there have been 412 confirmed cases of the virus in the region. Of those, 340 are recovered and 25 people have died. There are 47 known active cases.

The previously reported cases that have screened for a variant of concern are in Timmins and the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls and Smooth Rock Falls. The health unit did not provide a breakdown the numbers associated with each location. The people are in self-isolation and following public health recommendations.

The health unit expects the strain is the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7). No further testing will be done.

There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst, and Hornepayne. 

The Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 information line can be reached at 705-360-4819 or 1-800-461-1818.

People eligible for a vaccine can register for upcoming clinics in the region here. Select pharmacies are also delivering the vaccine. Find a list of those and book an appointment here.