Porcupine Health Unit reports two COVID-19 deaths, confirms spread of Delta variant
Two people have died from causes related to COVID-19, the Porcupine Health Unit announced Monday.
"Out of respect for the families, no further information will be shared," the health unit said in a news release. "We extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends during this difficult time."
The Porcupine Health Unit also reported five new COVID-19 cases among residents in the health unit area Monday, including two cases in Timmins and three in the James Bay and Hudson Bay region.
Helping drive cases in the area – which is still under lockdown – is the COVID-19 variant dubbed Delta, which is extremely contagious and can lead to more severe illness.
"The PHU was notified by the Public Health Ontario Laboratory that 16 more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Timmins and one case in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, Smooth Rock Falls were positive," for the Delta variant, the release said.
"There are now 29 cases with the delta variant confirmed in the PHU region."
With the variant circulating in the area, the health unit said it "is more important than ever that everyone follow the public health measures diligently and limit contacts with others who we do not live with."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.