The Porcupine Health Unit reported four new cases in the region today, including one man who was exposed at Spruce Hill Lodge.

An outbreak of the virus was announced at St. Mary’s Gardens in Timmins last night. It is the third institutional outbreak in the city so far during the pandemic.

At today’s daily health table update, medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton said she is waiting on one more piece of information and expects the outbreak that was announced at Extendicare is on its way to being over. 

To date, the Porcupine Health Unit is aware of 956 tests submitted locally. Of the 49 positive cases, 22 are resolved and two people have died. There are 260 cases under investigation.

For the local cases, 26 are in Timmins and 11 of those are resolved, 18 are in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls and 10 of those are resolved, and one is in the area of Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland and is resolved.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says a new partnership between the province, Apple and Rogers will see more than 21,000 iPads deployed to students in low income families across Ontario. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $1.7 billion aid package for the energy sector Friday, which will fund remediation work on abandoned oil wells in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

The Essential worker of the day is Melanie Larochelle, who is a commander of operations CDEMS Timmins base.

TimminsToday would like your help in recognizing local essential workers from health care workers, physicians, cashiers and delivery drivers. If you’d like to say thanks to someone you know, please send a photo, their name, their job title, and your words of thanks to maija@timminstoday.com. Please only send photos and information with permission.