A potential high-risk COVID-19 exposure advisory has been issued for a Timmins flight.
It is for the Thursday, Nov. 25 Air Canada AC8427 flight from Toronto to Timmins that was scheduled to leave at 8:55 a.m.
People who sat in rows 10 to 14 are affected.
For people who are not vaccinated, the health unit guidance is to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of exposure and self-monitor for symptoms and book a COVID-19 test for seven days after the date of exposure. Those affected should also call the health unit at 705-360-4819 or their local public health unit.
For people who are fully vaccinated, the health unit says to self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days from the potential exposure. You are not required to self-isolate, but should book a COVID-19 test as soon as possible and a second test for seven days after the exposure. A person is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after their second dose.
By the end of November, anyone aged 12 years or older will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to board a plane or a train in Canada, and that will include staff. At that point, testing will not be an option to bypass the vaccine requirement.
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, tiredness, and muscle aches and pain, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, abdominal pain, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, decreased or lack of appetite, headache and pink eye.
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.
