Within 24 hours, the Timmins hospital doubled the number of COVID-19 patients at the facility, according to president and CEO Kate Fyfe.
As of 2 p.m. today, there were 10 patients at Timmins and District Hospital who had tested positive for COVID-19.
In a joint news release, Fyfe and Porcupine Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton called for the community's help to slow the spread of the virus.
"We are very concerned to see this increase in hospitalizations during the third wave, especially as cases in our community continue to rise on a daily basis,” said Fyfe in the news release.
“While our hospital is not feeling the same pressures as our southern Ontario colleagues, we are seeing more people with COVID- 19 requiring medical attention than ever before. In under 24 hours COVID-19 admissions at TADH doubled from 5 to 10 patients, with the average age of admission being 42. Simply put, we are seeing younger patients, who are sicker than the previous two waves, needing medical attention in hospital."
The record number of cases, outbreaks and hospital admissions is "extremely worrisome" for Catton.
"This is exactly why we need to work together to gain control of the spread of COVID-19 – we need to act now to save lives," she said in a statement.
She said the United Kingdom B.1.1.7 variants or concern is responsible for most of the third wave of the pandemic.
"But there are ways to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and get us to the end of this pandemic sooner," she said.
Vaccine clinics are open to adults 18 years of age and up.
Essential workers who cannot work from home who are 16 or 17 years old are also eligible to book into local clinics offering the Pfizer vaccine.
"Please help, learn about the COVID-19 vaccines and schedule an appointment as soon as possible if you choose to get vaccinated and encourage others to get their vaccine. We need to recommit to the public health measures and treat every interaction outside of who you live with as a potential exposure," she said.
Upcoming clinics offering the Pfizer vaccine are:
Timmins Mountjoy Arena
- Wednesday, May 19
- Thursday, May 20
- Friday, May 21
Smooth Rock Falls
- Friday, May 21
Iroquois Falls Jus Jordan Arena
- Thursday, May 20
Kapuskasing Sports Palace
- Thursday, May 20
Cochrane Tim Hortons Event Centre
- Wednesday, May 19
Hearst Claude Larose Arena
- Friday, May 21
Appointments are required and walk-ins will not be accepted.
Book a vaccine online here.
Today, 34 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region. An outbreak has also been declared at the Timmins and District Hospital off-site hospital facility at St. Mary's Gardens.
To date, there have been 856 confirmed cases of the virus in the region. As of yesterday, at least 619 are recovered and 26 people have died.
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.
