To our community members:
We can confirm that there are two new COVID-19 cases in our region.
WAHA has received authorization from the leadership of Attawapiskat First Nation to state that these new cases are in Attawapiskat, Ontario.
WAHA is working with Porcupine Health Unit and the local health services to ensure that the individuals are isolated, and that the contact tracing investigation is ongoing.
There were thirty-six recovered cases. Thirty in Moosonee, four in Moose Factory, one in Kashechewan, and one in Attawapiskat.
Our new regional case count is eighty-six, eighteen in Attawapiskat, twenty-seven in Moosonee, twenty-seven in Fort Albany, thirteen in Moose Factory, and one in Kashechewan.
In general, for COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was within 2 metres or 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes during the time of infectivity. 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. Passing a person in the hallway or in a store is generally not considered close contact and has an extremely low risk of spreading the virus. Public Health will contact you if you are considered a close contact.
At this time, we recommend that everyone continue to monitor for symptoms. If ANY symptoms develop, isolate immediately and call your local assessment centre or your health care provider to arrange testing.
Symptoms can include:
• Fever
• Sore throat/hoarse voice
• New or worsening cough
• Loss of sense of taste or smell
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea, vomiting
• Runny nose/nasal congestion
• Diarrhea
In some cases, atypical symptoms could develop, such as, unexplained fatigue or malaise, muscle aches, delirium, unexplained or increased number of falls, acute functional decline, exacerbation of current chronic conditions, chills, headaches, croup, conjunctivitis.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact WAHA or the Porcupine Health Unit for more information.
To reduce the risk of exposure, please continue to follow public health measures:
• 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
• Stay home and isolate for 14 days if you have any symptoms
• Practice 2 m physical distancing
• Wear a mask in indoor public spaces and outdoors when physical distancing of 2 metres/6 feet cannot be maintained.
Should you have questions, please contact WAHA at 705-658-4544 or check our website for continued updates.
Thank you,
Dr. Elaine Innes, Chief of Staff, WAHA
Lynne Innes, President & Chief Executive Officer, WAHA