UPDATE
This afternoon the Porcupine Health Unit reported three additional COVID-19 cases in Timmins. The total number of cases reported in the city today is now six. More details on the new cases are available here.
ORIGINAL STORY
Three new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Timmins.
The people are the contact of a confirmed case and in self-isolation, according to the Porcupine Health Unit.
A previously reported case in Timmins has also screened positive for a variant of concern.
The health unit expects that it's the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7 strain). Per ministry guidance, no further testing will be done, said the health unit.
The person is in self-isolation and following public health recommendations.
"All measures and precautions are currently in place and vigilance with the public health measures remains critical for all," reads the bulletin.
To date, there have been 373 confirmed cases of the virus in the health unit region. There are 23 known active cases and 25 people have died.
For the active cases, 19 in Timmins, two in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls and Smooth Rock Falls, one in the Kapuskasing area, and one in the area of Hearst, Hornepayne.
To curb the spread of the virus a provincial shutdown is place for at least four weeks.
There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst, and Hornepayne.
The Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 information line can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
