A COVID-19 outbreak and 51 new cases are being reported in the Porcupine Health Unit region today.
For the new cases, 28 are in Timmins, 16 are in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls and Smooth Rock Falls, three are in the James and Hudson Bay area, three people are in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, and one is in the Kapuskasing area.
The exposure of 36 cases is under investigation, 11 cases are related to an outbreak, and eight people are the contacts of a case.
An outbreak of the virus has been declared at Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Timmins where there are two known cases linked to the workplace.
"The PHU is working closely with the workplace to ensure the infection prevention and control measures are in place. The management at Ontario Power Generation is taking all the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection and prevent the transmission of COVID-19," reads the health unit notice.
To date, there have been 1,113 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region. As of yesterday, 709 were recovered and 26 people have died. While the health unit announces new confirmed cases on the weekends, the number of recoveries is not reported.
A vaccination blitz is being held this weekend in Timmins.
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.
There is a provincial shutdown and stay-at-home order in effect until at least June 2.
