The Porcupine Health Unit is reporting the highest rate of positive cases in the North at 6½ positive cases per 10,000 population.

Blaise MacNeil, the president and chief executive officer of Timmins and District Hospital, called it “an alarming statistic” since the “largest population centre in the Northeast,” by comparison, is reporting two positive cases per 10,000.

While he didn’t mention it by name, Sudbury is the city with the largest population base in the Northeast.

“It’s abundantly clear that this virus is well-established in the community,” MacNeil said Friday. “For the health of our community and our health care sector, it is vital that we all do our part to ensure this pandemic is as short as possible.”

In the early days of the pandemic, the PHU likewise had the highest number of positive cases reported daily. MacNeil had noted it was “unusual” since the same testing criteria are applied across province.

On Thursday, he said the PHU is doing the highest percentage of testing in the North, which he expected to happen with the number of cases health officials are seeing.

The total number of positive cases in the health unit area still stands at 55. The health unit reported no new cases of COVID-19 among residents in the last 24 hours as of Friday afternoon.

As of then, the PHU had completed 1,585 tests, of which 55 were positive, and 520 were still under investigation. Of the 55 positive cases, 34 were resolved, and three resulted in death.

Dr. Lianne Catton, medical officer of health for the health unit, said Friday during the mayor’s daily roundtable that in light of the province extending its emergency orders until May 6, it is essential for residents in the community to continue to follow the public health measures.

“I can’t emphasize enough, it is just not time yet to let our guard down,” she said. “We need to keep up this good work … We are making a difference across the Porcupine Health Unit region, and we must stay the course.”

Mayor George Pirie said it was important for residents to understand the city’s “high rate of infection.”

“We’re doing a great thing, but realize the danger is still amongst us.”