Timmins and District Hospital is opening up new beds and bringing in an additional doctor to help care for COVID-19 patients.
While COVID-19 cases are declining in most health unit regions. the Porcupine Health Unit's numbers are on the rise.
The local region has the second-highest weekly case rate in the province.
The Porcupine Health Unit's weekly case rate 173.8 cases per 100,000 population. The only area higher is Peel Region with 218.9 cases per 100,000 population.
Timmins and District Hospital is also seeing an increase in the number of patients admitted with COVID-19.
As of noon today (May 21) there are 10 in-patients with COVID-19, including one person in the ICU. There are also 36 patients admitted who have either been tested for the virus and are awaiting results or who will be tested.
Since May 13, five patients have been transferred to other care facilities.
"These patient transfers are facilitated through the Virtual Critical Care Program, which reviews each patient's case individually to identify the most appropriate care facility for their needs," reads the hospital announcement.
To respond to the increased demand, the hospital is opening an additional eight patient beds, including three negative pressure rooms.
An additional hospitalist physician is also being brought on to care for COVID patients.
The current average age of people admitted to the local hospital with COVID is 54 years.
"We are continuing to see generally younger patients who are presenting very ill and requiring medical care in hospital. This has been clearly demonstrated through the higher number of patients requiring transfer to other care facilities," according to the hospital.
With the long weekend underway, the hospital is calling on the community to stay safe and continue following public health guidance.
To date, there have been 1,010 confirmed cases in the region. Of those, 709 are recovered and 26 people have died. There are 275 known active cases.
A vaccination blitz featuring walk-in and appointment-only clinics is underway.
