**PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT NEWS RELEASE**

5TH CASE OF COVID-19:

Today, Dr. Lianne Catton, Medical Officer of
Health of the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU), is reporting that a female in
her forties is the fifth confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Porcupine
Health Unit (PHU) region. Dr. Catton said,

“We believe the case is linked to international travel, but have no concerns about an exposure of
others on the international and domestic flights.”

The individual was assessed and tested at the Timmins COVID-19
Assessment Centre on Saturday, March 21, 2020. Staff took all
necessary precautions for infection control, assessment, and testing.

The individual followed the directions of public health and remains in selfisolation
at home, with monitoring by the PHU.

The PHU conducts a thorough case investigation to help identify anyone who may be a close
contact. If you are considered a close contact of this or any case, you
will receive a call from the PHU.

“Seeing a travel-related case in our community is an important reminder
that it is critical for every individual who has travelled outside of Canada
to self-isolate for 14 days to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr.
Catton.

Dr. Catton stresses that the evolving nature of COVID-19 requires our
immediate attention.

“We urge each and every community member to practice social distancing by keeping a minimum of 2 metres between themselves and others; stay home, and limit potential exposure to
COVID-19.

Physical distancing is key – we need to work together to
reduce the opportunity for the virus to spread from person to person.
This is how we will protect our vulnerable community members.”
Dr. Catton says we need to act with the assumption that COVID-19 is
circulating in our communities. “We’re all in this together. Each
community member needs to follow preventative measures to help
reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

6TH CASE OF COVID-19

Dr. Lianne Catton, Medical Officer of Health of the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU), is reporting that a female in
her 50’s the sixth positive case of COVID-19 in the PHU area and first
outside of Timmins. Dr. Catton said, “We believe the case is linked to
both international travel and contact with other another case we were
investigating. The COVID-19 Operations Team at the PHU is continuing
to follow-up.”

The female presented herself to the Emergency Department at Lady
Minto, on Saturday, March 21, where she was assessed and tested. Lady
Minto Hospital medical staff took all appropriate precautions, according
to Dr. Catton. The case has followed public health guidance and
remained in self-isolation. She is currently admitted and in hospital in
stable condition.

Paul Chatelain, CEO of Lady Minto Hospital, said that the hospital was
ready for their first case. “We expected that COVID-19 would be
circulating in the area, and that it was likely we would have a case,”

he said. “All staff were thoroughly prepared and ready to respond as per all
Ministry guidelines and protocols.”

This case further emphasizes the need to ensure only those acutely unwell presents to the emergency
department. It is important to preserve acute care capacity.

The PHU conducts case and contact management with all cases to help
identify anyone who may be a close contact. If you are considered a
close contact of any COVID-19 case,

Dr. Catton says you will be called by PHU staff and provided with follow-up and direction. The health unit
will also share information with the public if there is potential exposure
of community members that requires any follow-up, as appropriate.
However, confidentiality and privacy remain a priority.

At this time, Dr. Catton says, the most important action the public can
take is to continue physical distancing. “Keeping 2 metres, that’s 6 feet,
between yourself and others can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in
all our communities.

” Travellers have to take extra precautions, she
emphasizes,

“If you’re coming back from an international destination,
we want to say, ‘Welcome home and stay home.’ Do not stop at grocery
stores or the pharmacy. Get home quickly, self-isolate at home for 14
days and limit your contact with others.”

She adds, “We can expect to see more cases. That’s why need we need everyone to stay home as
much as possible and plan any outings to minimize the contact you have
with other people. That’s the best way to control the spread of COVID-19.”

ADDITIONAL INFO
The Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 Information Line
• If you are experiencing fever, dry cough and/or shortness of breath, call the PHU COVID-19
Info Line at 1-800-461-1818 extension 2919.
• Available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Callers can leave messages and PHU staff will call back within 24 hours.
• At times, call volumes are high, and your patience is appreciated.
COVID-19 Assessment Centre: Intrepid Place in Timmins
• Further assessment and testing.
• Referrals by health care providers required.
• By appointment only. Walk-ins will not be seen.
• Not everyone who attends the clinic will be tested.
Prevention Measures
Take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
• Cough into your sleeve or tissue
• Stay home if you are sick
• Practice physical distancing – stay home as much as possible, limit visitors to your home.
• Do your best to keep at least two metres away from others
Symptoms of COVID-19
• Fever, cough and difficulty breathing
• Complications can include serious conditions, like pneumonia or kidney failure, and in some
cases, death.
IMPORTANT: If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19
• If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone
who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you
need to seek further care.
• If you need further assistance, call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your health care
provider. You can also call the Porcupine Health Unit at 705-267-1181 or toll-free 1-800-
461-1818.
• Be sure to mention your symptoms and your travel history, including the countries you
visited.
• If you are ill and must visit a health care professional, call ahead and tell them if you have a
respiratory illness.
• If you need immediate medical attention, call 911 and mention your travel history and
symptoms.

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