City officials received an update on the second COVID-19 outbreak at Extendicare Timmins during Mayor George Pirie’s health table on Monday.

Chantal Riopel, the Porcupine Health Unit’s chief nursing officer, provided details on the region’s 65th positive test result, following a quiet weekend.

“The individual is a resident of Extendicare Timmins,” she said.

“She was tested on May 7, as part of the COVID-19 surveillance testing in long-term care homes. She is in her 70s and is in self-isolation at this time.

“As per ministry (Health and Long-term Care) guidelines, when one resident or one employee of a long-term care facility is positive for COVID-19, an outbreak is declared within the institution.

“So, the Porcupine Health Unit has declared an outbreak at Extendicare Timmins due to this positive result.”

Overall, there have now been 3,422 COVID-19 tests completed across the Porcupine Health Unit area and 49 of the 65 that have come back positive have now been resolved, while 11 are active and five individuals died as the result of their illness.

In addition, the results of 288 of the tests remain under investigation.

Riopel also noted 612 residents and 763 employees have now been test at eight of the 10 long-term care facilities in the health unit’s catchment area and that 37 employees at five of the six emergency child-care centres in the region have also been tested.

“The Government of Ontario has given us a deadline of May 15 to complete the testing,” she said.

“So, the long-term care facilities are working well to meet this deadline. They have done some excellent work and we will have them all completed by then.”

The chief nursing officer also passed on the news announced earlier in the day that the outbreaks at the Timmins and District Hospital, Spruce Hill Lodge and St. Mary’s Garden have both been declared over.

“At the present time, we have Golden Manor, South Centennial Mano (Iroquois Falls) and now Extendicare Timmins in outbreak mode,” Riopel said.

Timmins and District Hospital President and CEO Blaise MacNeil was understandably pleased to learn the outbreak designation has been removed from his facility.

“The hospital remains committed to the safety and wellbeing of patients, staff and physicians,” he said.

“The precautionary measure in place, including screening at all patient entrances, visitor restrictions and the masking of all patients coming into the hospital, remain in effect.

“While this is positive news, it is important that as a community we don’t take this as a reason to relax.

“It is important we do everything we can to support our health-care workers and physicians by making this pandemic as short as possible.

“The health of our community, health-care sector and front-line workers depends on us all staying the course together.

“We ask you all to stay safe, stay home, unless it is for essential travel and wash your hands often.”

MacNeil had a little extra praise for some of hard-working employees of the hospital.

“The World Health Organization proclaimed 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife in honour the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale,” he said.

“This designation aims to celebrate the history and achievements and highlight the challenges faced by nurses.

“I don’t think anyone could have imagined the impacts COVID-19 pandemic would have had during 2020.

“Despite these unprecedented times, nurses in our community have continued to show why this designation is greatly deserved.

“While our community experiences great change, the tireless dedication to patients shown by nurses has remained constant.

“Today marks the first day of Nursing Week in Ontario and as the president and CEO of Timmins and District Hospital, I want to take a moment to commend the efforts of registered nurses, registered practical nurses and nurse practitioners at the hospital and in our community.

“Their everlasting dedication to patient care is more important than ever. Even in the most difficult circumstances, the nurses in our community immeasurable strength and compassion.

“We cannot thank them enough for their hard work.”

Brian Marks, chief administrative officer of Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, noted it was a busy weekend for emergency medical services.

“Over the course of the weekend, there were 42 calls, 23 of them in Timmins,” he said.

“Our paramedics continue to provide services at (COVID-19) assessment centres, as required.

“I would like to remind people if they do have to call 911, and they are able to, please answer the screening questions as appropriately as possible to help our paramedics preparing to attend the site.”

Marks noted Friday through Sunday 176 meals were distributed between First Baptist Church and the Lord’s Kitchen.

“The homeless numbers remain relatively similar at all three sites,” he said.

“The McIntyre (Community Centre) had 20, Northern College 28, Living Space had eight.”

Marks also pointed out anyone in need of an emergency food hamper can call 211 to register.

And, echoing MacNeil’s words, Marks offered praise to the hard-working nurses across the region.

“On behalf of our board and all the employees of DSSAB, particularly the paramedics who work closely with nurses, we would like to extend our appreciation for all they do, both the current nurses and those who are retired,” he said.

Timmins Fire Chief Tom Laughren offered clarification with regard to the “Timmins fire ban.”

“There was yesterday (Sunday) an outdated link, from 2018, that was shared on social media and no pun intended but it spread like wildfire throughout not only Timmins, but the region,” he said.

“We had 20 or 30 calls this morning at the fire hall, including some from other municipalities.

“I want to remind people the province-wide restricted fire zone issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry (John Yakabuski) on April 3, 2020, remains in effect until further notice.

“It has not been lifted here in Timmins.”

The fire chief also issued a reminder of why the ban was put into place in the first place.

“It was put in place as a proactive measure to ensure emergency response capacity is maintained during these uncertain times,” Laughren said.

“One of the big reasons we do this daily noon call is to avoid hearsay and information that is not correct.

“Social media is a valuable tool, but be careful when you read something before you share it. It was quite evident on that news release it was from August of 2018, not from May of 2020.”

Even though an outbreak has been declared at Extendicare Timmins the mayor found plenty of reason for optimism as he wrapped up Monday’s session.

“Within the community, we have had some great news with the outbreaks being declared over at Spruce Hill Lodge, St. Mary’s Gardens and Timmins and District Hospital,” Pirie said.

“Also, after out press conference on Friday our own Golden Manor announced the individual who had tested positive there we assume was a false positive because they have had two negative tests since that time.

“I would expect the outbreak to be lifted there shortly, as well.”

The mayor also recognized the importance of nurses as the community looks to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am sure there are some out there in EMS and nurses in the last eight weeks who may feel like they have aged 200 years,” he said, making reference to Florence Nightingale.

“It has been that type of process, but hats off to everybody.”

The mayor also noted it is also Police Week, although he noted celebrations in the community will be “modified” this year.

“We have a dedicated and strong police service we are all proud of,” he said.