Public health officials advise 13 additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified as of 9:30 a.m., bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba to 217. In addition, a third death has been reported. Patient specific details are not being released at this time.
The data also shows:
• 12 individuals are currently hospitalized, which includes six individuals in intensive care;
• 21 individuals have recovered from COVID-19; and
• the total number of deaths reported in Manitoba is three.
Cadham Provincial Laboratory performed 781 tests Monday. A total of 14,280 tests have been performed since early February.
Manitobans are reminded to stay home if they can and this includes family gatherings. While many families get together for Easter or Passover celebrations, people should not let their guard down by gathering this year. Working together to maintain social distancing and staying at home unless you have to go out are the only ways to slow the spread and flatten the curve of COVID-19.
Manitobans are reminded to continue seeking care for regular and chronic medical conditions. Primary care and community health offices continue to be available for those patients in need of care, with virtual (phone and video) options available as well as in-person appointments and walk-in services.
Assessment clinics for COVID-19 positive patients are also being established. These sites will offer primary care services on an appointment basis for anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or has respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.
In addition to the primary care space, these locations will also serve as designated testing sites in a separate area at the site to support additional capacity for testing.
The first Community COVID-19 Testing Site and Assessment Clinic in Winnipeg will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 8 at the St. James Assiniboia Centennial Pool and Fitness Centre at 644 Parkdale St. When this site opens tomorrow, Access Winnipeg West will once again focus on primary care and community health services, and will no longer be a designated community testing site for COVID 19.
Testing sites and assessment clinics will NOT be walk-in services. People seeking testing should still call Health Links–Info Santé first or be referred by their primary care provider.
Note the Mount Carmel testing site will be CLOSED for the statutory holidays on Good Friday and Easter Sunday this coming weekend. Visit one of the drive-in sites or the St. James Assiniboia Centennial Pool for testing over the weekend.
For up-to-date information on community screening sites, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/locations.html.
Public health is also advising people to remain within or close to their home communities. This includes limiting travel, even within Manitoba, to essential trips only. Services at smaller health centres could be strained if seasonal visitors become ill.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19.