**PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT NEWS RELEASE**

Daily COVID-19 Update for Friday, May 1, 2020

There have been no new positive cases in the PHU area in the last 24 hours.

The current number of confirmed positive cases is now 60. As of yesterday, over 2055 COVID-19 tests have been completed in our region and 43 cases have been resolved. For more information, visit phu.fyi/coronavirus.

As of last Friday, more tests are being completed in our area compared to the rate for the province of Ontario. Of these tests, 5.1% of them were positive for COVID-19. For specifics, refer to our weekly epidemiology update on our website: https://bit.ly/2KVsbhj

Our health unit region is continuing to offer increased testing. Individuals who have any symptoms of COVID-19, even mild ones, are encouraged to complete the online self-assessment tool and follow the recommendations provided. The self-assessment tool is available at: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/

As the weather gets nicer, individuals who are not in self-isolation are encouraged to spend some time outdoors while continuing to practice physical distancing and avoiding others from outside their own household. Try getting out for a walk or teaching kids how to play some favourite childhood games (jump rope, hopscotch, tag). Don’t forget to put on sunscreen.

There are COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst, 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 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call the toll-free number, 1-800-461-1818, or the PHU office in your community. See phu.fyi/offices for local contact numbers.

Stay home, stay kind, stay positive!

Filed under: Local News