TIMMINS — Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lianne Catton talked about the substantial update in the number of local COVID-19 cases at today's daily health table update.
Last night, the number of positive cases in the health unit's region jumped by six to 18 confirmed cases. Of those new cases, two are children and one woman is at Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) in ICU.
As of this morning, PHU is aware of 323 tests being submitted locally. Of the 18 positive cases, five are resolved. They are waiting on the results of 70 cases, and 235 have come back negative.
Two of the new positive cases are in Timmins.
A woman in her 60s was tested March 28 and is in hospital.
“‘Unfortunately our most recent update is that she is currently in the ICU and our thoughts are with both her and her family the healthcare providers who are working hard to keep her well,” said Catton.
A woman in her 70s was tested March 30 and is currently admitted at TADH.
The investigation is ongoing for both cases.
“However at this time we do not have any definitive links to either other cases or travel internationally. As such, again, the message remains the same that we need to assume local transmission and act as though it is occurring,” she said.
Three cases are reported as being in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls.
These new cases are a woman in her 30s and two boys under the age of 10. Catton said they had already been identified as close contacts of a confirmed case and were following public health protocol.
A man in his 40s who is a close contact of a case has also tested positive and is in self-isolation. He is in the area of Kapuskasing, Opasatika, and Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland.
There has been a change in the way the cases are being reported.
Instead of listing the specific communities, smaller towns have been grouped into a couple of broader areas.
There are two main reasons for the change, which Catton said was approved by the board of health members and municipal leaders.
Catton said there were confidentiality concerns in smaller communities where giving the age and gender could identify patients.
“The second part that really concerns me the most is the sense of comfort or feeling reassured that a community has not been named. This is critical. If we have individuals who still feel reassured across Ontario that their community has not been named, this is a problem because we need to act and follow these public health measures now whether your community has been named or not,” she said.
A number of service providers and leaders are included in the daily health table update from city hall.
Timmins Mayor George Pirie noted the new cases are a reminder that the virus affects individuals of all ages.
He said the message of safe practices remains the same.
“You have to assume that everybody you meet has got it and you have to assume that if you have a new cough or sneeze or anything else that you have it. You have to protect yourself and you have to protect your family. It is your responsibility. We will flatten the curve, we will get through this. We’re two weeks into it, all the measures that we have taken could start to show some results, however we are just two weeks into this, a long way to go we will get through it provided everybody do their part,” he said.
For the Timmins Academic Family Health Team, today executive director Jennifer McLeod reminded people that the officers are open, but appointments are needed.
“If attending an appointment at your doctor or nurse practitioner’s office you will find that the offices look very different. Waiting room chairs have been removed, as well as any unnecessary office equipment. The wait time to be seen will be minimal and there will be very few or no other patients waiting,” she said.
Health team staff are also wearing personal protection equipment to protect workers and patients. For needing forms to be filled out, she said they may be asked to fax it in rather than dropping it off to prevent transmission of the virus.
