Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.4 per cent and 21 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today. This brings the total number of cases in Manitoba to 1,294.
The data shows:
• three cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region;
• four cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• four cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 10 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
The data also shows:
• 426 active cases and 852 individuals have recovered from COVID-19,
• there are 13 people in hospital and two people in intensive care, and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 16.
Preliminary investigations indicate that eight of the cases are related to close contacts. Investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.
Preliminary laboratory testing numbers show an additional 1,494 tests were completed on Friday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 144,212.
Case investigations indicate a previously identified case in a health-care worker in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is linked to the Concordia Place personal care home. This information has been shared with families and staff. Close contacts are being identified and the case investigations are continuing.
While the risk is assessed to be low, Concordia Place has initiated outbreak protocols in an abundance of caution. The location has put additional measures in place to further reduce the risk to residents and staff, and are restricting visitation. Concordia Place has moved to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.
The Manitoba government has released the Wear It Well animated video to help teach younger children on how to wear a non-medical mask and take steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19. View the video at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/index.html#public.
Manitobans are strongly encouraged to return to the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means not going out while you feel ill, practising proper hand hygiene, covering your cough and physical distancing when you are with people outside your household. If you cannot physically distance, wear a mask. If you are travelling, remember to be ‘COVID-Careful’ by gassing up at home and ensuring all supplies are packed with you, so extra stops do not need to made along the way.
Unless recommended by public health, only individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should go for testing. Individuals with symptoms are asked to seek testing as soon as possible once symptoms are present.
Employers are asked to only send employees for testing if they have symptoms or if testing has been recommended by public health. The online assessment tool can be found at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/ and COVID-19 symptoms can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/about.html#collapse4.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.