**PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT NEWS RELEASE**

Daily COVID-19 Update for Wednesday, April 22, 2020

The Porcupine Health Unit is reporting 4 new COVID-19 cases among residents in the health unit area. The current number of confirmed positive cases is now 54.

All new cases are female residents of the Timmins area. Two cases, one in her 50s and one in her 20s, are in self-isolation. The other two cases, one in her 70s and one in her 90s, are admitted to hospital. These four cases were identified in the process of the investigation of the outbreak at Timmins and District Hospital. The investigation is ongoing at this time to determine potential linkages. For more information, visit phu.fyi/coronavirus.

The Government of Canada announced new measures requiring all air passengers to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel. (https://bit.ly/3cEJzTz)

The province is investing money to help deliver meals, medicines and other essentials to Ontario’s most vulnerable citizens and doubling the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) payments. (https://bit.ly/3auS8Pp)

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lianne Catton urges everyone, “it’s critical we all keep working together to stop the spread of COVID-19.” Stay home as much as possible and avoid travelling between communities. Only go out if absolutely necessary to pick up groceries, prescriptions or go to a medical appointment. Maintain physical distancing. Do not visit loved ones or friends outside of your immediate household.

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.

Keep it up! Stay home, stay well, stay kind. We’re all in this together.

Filed under: Local News