**PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT NEWS RELEASE**

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

DAILY COVID-19 UPDATE FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020

The Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) is reporting one new COVID-19 case among residents in the area of Hearst, Hornepayne. More information about positive cases in the PHU area.

If somebody in your household is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, it is recommended they stay home and seek testing. They should self-isolate until their test results come back. Other members of the household could continue with their daily routines. This decision was made with the local context in mind (currently a low number of cases of COVID-19 within the community) and may change if the number of COVID-19 cases in our district increases, or on follow-up with specific individual situations. Household members and other contacts of the symptomatic person should monitor themselves closely for symptoms, isolate immediately if ANY symptoms occur and arrange to be tested.

If someone in your household is a confirmed case for COVID-19, all members of the household would have to self-isolate. Or, if an individual in your household is considered a close contact of a confirmed case, they would be advised to self-isolate because of their potential exposure while other members could continue with their daily routines. However, if this close contact were to develop symptoms then all members of the household would need to self-isolate until the test results are back. If there is any concern about a particular situation, please do not hesitate to call the health unit.

Practice physical distancing of 2 metres (6 feet), wear face coverings, cover coughs/sneezes, wash your hands often and please stay home if you have any symptoms. COVID-19 is circulating in our communities. We need to act as though exposure is probable and possible every day in every community regardless of case announcements.

Our COVID-19 Information line is open today from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call the toll-free number, 1-800-461-1818 or the PHU office in your community. Visit our offices page for local contact numbers.