**PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT NEWS RELEASE**

DAILY COVID-19 UPDATE FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

The Porcupine Health Unit is reporting 3 new COVID-19 cases among residents in the health unit area.

The first case is a male in his sixties. The second is a male in his thirties and the third case is a female in her sixties. All individuals were tested on Monday, April 13. The current number of confirmed positive cases is now 42. Please see http://ow.ly/QKql50zeNqn for details

The health unit is aware of 811 COVID-19 tests being submitted locally. Of the 42 positive tests, 21 cases are resolved and two people have died. There have been 593 negative tests, and the results of 176 are pending.

The Government of Ontario announced it is extending the Declaration of Emergency for a further 28 days, until May 12. (http://ow.ly/XSWG50zeNqo)

Yesterday, the Government of Canada updated the mandatory requirements for travellers entering Canada. Any traveller arriving in Canada — whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic — cannot isolate or quarantine in a place where they would be in contact with people who are vulnerable, such as adults aged 65 years or over and people with pre-existing medical conditions. (http://ow.ly/4LJL50zeNqp)

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catton urges everyone to continue to “work together to stop the spread of COVID-19.” Stay home as much as possible and avoid travelling between communities for visiting. Only go out if absolutely necessary to pick up groceries, prescriptions or go to a medical appointment. Do not visit loved ones or friends outside of your immediate household.

There are now COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Kapuskasing, Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls and Hornepayne. Please note that you require an appointment. Call your primary care provider or the PHU. Our COVID-19 Information line is open today from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Call the toll-free number, 1-800-461-1818, or the PHU office in your community. See http://ow.ly/wkCl50zeNqq for local contact numbers.

Stay home, stay well, stay kind. We’re all in this together.

Filed under: Local News