Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.5 per cent and 23 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today, bringing the number of cases in Manitoba to 1,489.
The data shows:
• two cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• one case in the Northern health region; and
• 20 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
Detailed maps of cases by health region and health district can be found here.
The data also shows:
• 283 active cases and 1,190 individuals have recovered from COVID-19;
• there are nine people in hospital and three people in intensive care; and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 16.
Preliminary investigations indicate the two Interlake—Eastern cases are close contracts of a known case. Northern and Winnipeg case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.
Preliminary laboratory testing numbers show 1,266 on Tuesday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 158,706. 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.
Public Health has advised John Pritchard School of six new confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to the school. This brings the total number of cases to seven. The school was advised by Public Health the following grades/cohorts transition to remote learning today, Sept. 16: Grade 4/5 split, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8 and Henderson Early Learning Centre (before and after school program). All other grade/cohorts remain at the school for in-class learning.
The school community has been notified. Additional cleaning of high-touch areas was completed. The public health investigation continues to determine virus transmission. Any close contacts connected to the cases have been identified, contacted and advised to self-isolate. Others who were at the site do not need to self-isolate, but should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. John Pritchard School has moved to Restricted (orange) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, given the number cases and contacts involved.
Public Health is advising of possible public health exposures to COVID-19 in Winnipeg related to a previously announced case:
• on Sept. 5:
– Tavern United, 1405 St. Matthew Ave.;
– U Putz, 423 McPhillips St.;
– McPhillips Street Station, 484 McPhillips St.; and
– Hampton Inn by Hilton Winnipeg, Airport/Polo Park, 730 Berry St.
• on Sept 6.,
– CF Polo Park, 1485 Portage Ave.
Times are listed online at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/winnipeg/index.html#exposure.
Public Health is advising of a possible exposure at Parkview Place Long Term Care Home located at 440 Edmonton St. in Winnipeg on Sept. 11 and 12 involving a health-care worker at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority care home. This information has been shared with families and staff. Investigation is ongoing.
While the risk is assessed to be low, Parkview Place has initiated outbreak protocols in an abundance of caution and put additional measures in place to further reduce the risk to residents and staff, and are restricting visitation. The facility has moved to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.
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.
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.