The Town of Moosonee has declared a state of emergency.
There are currently 31 active cases of COVID-19 in Moosonee and testing is ongoing. In the James and Hudson Bay region, there are also two active cases in Attawapiskat and one in Kashechewan, according to the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority.
In today’s virtual video message, Moosonee Mayor Wayne Taipale urged residents to stay home if they experience any symptoms. He also said there will be a spike in cases and asked people not to panic.
“This is showing we’re doing everything we can to control this. When the tests are being done, it means we’re finding people that should and can be isolated to get this under control. This is one way it’s going to be done,” he said. “Just because the numbers are going up, it doesn’t mean it’s bad. We will not see the numbers level off until we have everything contained and it stops being spread to the communities. So, do your part please.”
There will be testing clinics at the Moosonee Health Centre this weekend. Appointments are available for Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Testing will also be available on Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Moosonee is the second community in the Porcupine Health Unit to declare a state of emergency this week. One was declared in Timmins on Monday.
To date, there have been 1,010 confirmed cases in the Porcupine Health Unit region. Of those, 709 are recovered and 26 people have died. There are 275 known active cases — 208 in Timmins, 30 in the region of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls and Smooth Rock Falls, 34 in the James and Hudson Bay region, two in the Kapuskasing area and one in the Hearst, Hornepayne area.
A vaccination blitz is being held this weekend in Timmins and includes free bus or cab rides to the clinics.
