Editor's Note: The Porcupine Health Unit has announced five new cases in Timmins, in addition to these. The full story is available here.
The Porcupine Health Unit is reporting four new COVID-19 cases and an outbreak at Extendicare Timmins.
Three of the new cases are in Timmins. One is related to the outbreak, and the exposure of two is under investigation, according to the health unit.
There is also one case in the area of Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland. All of the new cases are in self-isolation.
So far, there has only been one confirmed case at Extendicare.
"The PHU is working closely with Extendicare to ensure the infection prevention and control measures are in place. The management team at Extendicare is taking all the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection and prevent the transmission of COVID-19," reads the health unit bulletin.
To date, there have been 356 confirmed cases of the virus in the region. Of those, 321 are recovered and 25 people have died. There are 10 known active cases — eight in Timmins, one in the Hearst, Hornepayne area, and one in the Kapuskasing area.
There have been two confirmed variants of concern in Timmins. Both cases are the South African (B.1.351) strain. The cases are resolved. Four tests have also screened positive for a variant are expected to be the UK (B.1.1.7) strain.
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 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
