The investigation into whether there is any potential transmission of COVID-19 within Timmins and District Hospital is ongoing, according to Porcupine Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton.
A second COVID-19 death, a man in his 70s, has also been reported in Timmins. It is the third COVID-related death in the PHU region.
An outbreak of the virus at the facility was announced yesterday after a woman in her 80s tested positive. She was tested April 18.
“It’s important to recognize that the incubation period for COVID-19 is 14 days so the investigation requires an extensive dig for information back from any potential signs or symptoms that an individual may have, which we now recognize may be very mild and very atypical in nature,” said Catton.
As the investigation continues, she said more details will be released as appropriate.
In the announcement of the outbreak, the health unit reported that access to the hospital had been restricted and there is enhanced surveillance.
Some of the control measures listed include restricting visitors and volunteer programs, enhanced PPE requirements, active screening at all entrances, and staff providing direct patient care or working in patient care areas must wear a mask while on site.
The Timmins and District Hospital outbreak is the fourth at a Timmins facility.
The first was at Extendicare Timmins and has been declared over.
There are also outbreaks at Spruce Hill Lodge in South Porcupine, where two residents have tested positive, and St. Mary's Gardens where an employee tested positive.
There are now 50 confirmed cases of the virus in the region. That includes 30 recoveries and three deaths.
The health unit is aware of 1,141 tests being done in the region. That is an increase of 70 over yesterday's report. The testing for 361 of the tests is in progress.
For the local cases, 28 are in Timmins and 17 of those are resolved, 21 are in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls and 12 of those are resolved, and one is in the area of Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland and is resolved.
The health unit is doing expanded testing on people with milder symptoms for a limited time.
The expanded list of symptoms include cough, fever, and difficulty breathing as well as sore throat/hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, muscle aches, runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting.
There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Hornepayne and Hearst. They are by appointment only and you must be referred by your primary healthcare provider or the health unit.
The PHU COVID-19 hotline is open during the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
