Editor's note: The Porcupine Health Unit has confirmed the positive case is at Spruce Hill Lodge.
The Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton reported the region's first case of a resident in a retirement home testing positive for COVID-19.
The PHU reported two new cases of the virus in its region today, bringing the total number of positive cases to 39.
The 38th case is a man in his 60s who is the contact of a confirmed case. He was tested April 6 and is in self-isolation. He is in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls and Smooth Rock Falls.
A Timmins woman in her 90s is the 39th case, and the health unit is reporting it as community exposure. She was tested April 6 and is in self-isolation.
Catton said the most concerning update is the confirmed case in a retirement home resident. She did not say where the case is located.
“We are working with this home to investigate the case and assist them in taking all the necessary steps to protect all their staff and their residents. At this point in time, we ask for respect and privacy for those involved, including the home, while they work through their process to contact the families and staff involved because really people should hear from them directly prior to any public announcement," said Catton.
Whenever a staff member or resident in the longterm care sector tests positive, it triggers the declaration of an outbreak. Catton said more information will likely be available on the retirement home case later today.
An outbreak of the virus was declared at Extendicare Timmins April 9 after a staff member tested positive. The employee was was identified as a close contact of another case, which wasn't related to the long-term care facility. Because the worker was identified as a close contact, she was already in self-isolation.
Currently, the Porcupine Health Unit is aware of 628 COVID-19 tests being submitted locally. Of the 39 positive tests, 11 cases are resolved and two people have died. There have been 481 negative COVID-19 tests, and they are waiting on the results of 110.
Of the local cases, 24 are in Timmins, 14 are in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls, and one is in the area of Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland.
Today, the province reported there are now 6,648 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province, including 253 deaths, 2,858 recoveries, and 691 current hospitalizations.
According to the provincial report, the Porcupine Health Unit has the highest rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 population compared to other health units in Northern Ontario.
Today's report includes data from Jan. 15 to April 10. The number of cases at other Northern Ontario health units, as well as the rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 population are:
• Algoma Public Health - 10 cases, rate of 8.7 per 100,000 population
• North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit - 7 cases, rate of 5.4 per 100,000 population
• Porcupine Health Unit - 38, rate of 45.5 per 100,000 population (there are now 39 cases in the health unit’s region, the data in the provincial report is based on the previous day’s numbers at 4 p.m.)
• Public Health Sudbury and Districts - 29 cases, rate of 14.6 per 100,000 population
• Thunder Bay District Health Unit - 24 cases, rate of 16 per 100,000 population
• Timiskaming Health Unit - 7 cases, rate of 21.4 per 100,000
The provincial rate is 44.7 people per 100,000 population
The PHU COVID-19 information line is open today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
