Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.7 per cent and 11 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today, bringing the number of cases in Manitoba to 1,500.
The data shows:
• one case in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• two cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud; and
• eight cases in the Winnipeg health region.
Detailed maps of cases by health region and health districts can be found here.
The data also shows:
• 293 active cases and 1,191 individuals have recovered from COVID-19;
• there are 10 people in hospital and two people in intensive care; and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 16.
Preliminary investigation indicates that none of today’s Winnipeg cases are linked to John Pritchard School. Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.
Preliminary laboratory testing numbers show 1,403 on Wednesday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 160,109. As testing site locations may change in response to changes in testing volumes, Manitobans are reminded to refer to the list of current testing sites and hours of operation before leaving home. Information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/testing.html.
Starting Friday, Sept. 18, the Prairie Mountain Health region will be lowered to the COVID-19 caution level (yellow), according to the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. This is in response to an improved situation in the region.
Masks are strongly recommended but not required and public gatherings will be limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Public health officials continue to monitor all the regions with increased cases closely to determine if additional restrictions are necessary.
Public health officials strongly encourage all Manitobans to focus on the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means staying home if you are sick, washing/sanitizing your hands, covering your cough and physically distancing when you are with people outside your household.
If you cannot physically distance, wear a mask. Wearing a reusable non-medical mask does not protect the person wearing the mask, but may help protect the people around them. For a mask to be effective, it must be worn properly or it will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. Helpful guidance on wearing a mask can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/prepareandprevent.html#collapse3.
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 officials.
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, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.