Thunder Bay District Health Unit announces 10 new cases of COVID-19, 3 linked to Lac des Iles mine

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) announced 10 new cases of COVID-19 in its jurisdiction Thursday.

The cases include three men and seven woman ranging in age from 20s to 70s. 

The exposure category is pending in four cases, three are linked to the Lac des Iles mine and three involved close contact with a person with coronavirus.

The cases include:

• Man in his 70s, from a First Nation, who  is now hospitalized

• Woman in her 40s, from a First Nation, who is self-isolating

• Man in his 60s who is self-isolating and contracted the virus through an exposure at Lac Des Iles mine

• Woman in her 40s who is self-isolating

• Woman in her 30s who is self-islating

• Woman in her 20s who is self-isolating and contracted the virus through an exposure at Lac Des Iles mine

• Man ins his 50s who is self-isolating and contracted the virus through an exposure at Lac Des Iles mine

• Woman in her 50s who is self-isolating and had close contact with a person with the virus

• Woman in her 20s who is self isolating and had close contact with a person with the virus

• Woman in her 50s who is now self-isolating and had close contact with a person with the virus

In a video update Thursday, Dr. Stewart Kennedy, COVID-19 incident manager at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre said three patients were now at the hospital with confirmed cases of the coronavirus. He said two of those patients were in the ICU, and another six with confirmed and presumptive symptoms are on the dedicated COVID unit.

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care.

There is now an Online Portal to access COVID-19 test results directly from the provincial laboratory system. This portal was launched April 12 by the Ontario government and offers fast and secure access to test results on your computer and mobile device, the TBDHU stated.

For additional information about COVID-19 and the TBDHU area, please see the TBDHU website and social media channels. Additional updates will also be provided as needed. More information can also be found by visiting the Ontario government coronavirus website.

The Public Health Agency of Canada posts information on COVID-19 exposures on flights, cruise ships, and mass gatherings.

The total number of cases across northwestern Ontario as of April 16 is 56, plus a person who was identified as part of the Northwestern Health Unit area, but resides in southern Ontario.