Issued: Sunday, February 21, 2021 by Porcupine Public Health Unit (web link)
Dr. Lianne Catton, Medical Officer of Health, Porcupine Health Unit is releasing information related to confirmed cases of COVID-19. Through the investigation of these cases, we have learned that there may have been a potential risk of exposure to the public related to the following store:
GG’s Ace Hardware Store
- Thursday, February 11, 2021 to Friday, February 19, 2021.
- Anyone in the store during this time needs to closely self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the last day they visited, which ends between Thursday, February 25, 2021 and Friday, March 5, 2021.
- If you are experiencing symptoms, self-isolate at home and call the Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 Information Line at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818 or their local assessment centre to arrange testing.
An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person had any symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19. Symptoms can be mild and can include:
| Typical Symptoms | Atypical Symptoms |
| Fever | Unexplained fatigue or malaise |
| New or worsening cough | Muscle aches |
| Shortness of breath | Delirium |
| Loss of sense of smell or taste | Unexplained or increased number of falls |
| Sore throat/hoarse voice | Acute functional decline |
| Difficulty swallowing | Exacerbation of current chronic conditions |
| Runny nose or nasal congestion | Chills |
| Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain | Headaches |
| Croup | |
| Conjunctivitis |
With COVID-19 present, all community members are advised to stay home as much as possible, limit close contact to those you live with; continue to wear a mask, keep your distance a minimum of 2m from those you do not live with, and wash your hands. This is critical to reduce the risk of spread.
If testing is required, seek testing through one of the assessment centres across Ontario. You can also call the Porcupine Health Unit at 705-267-1181 or toll-free at 1-800-461-1818.
With the increase in cases and the presence of variants in the PHU region, it is very important that everyone continue closely and consistently follow public health measures to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19:
- screen regularly for symptoms
- stay home and isolate if you have any symptoms
- wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- sneeze and cough into your sleeve
- avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- practice 2 metres physical distancing
- wear a mask in indoor public spaces
- wear a mask indoors and outdoors when physical distancing of 2 metres/6 feet cannot be maintained with anyone outside your household.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.