Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.6 per cent and 18 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today, bringing the number of cases in Manitoba to 1,558.
The data shows:
• three cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• two cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud; and
• 13 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
A more detailed look at cases by health region and health district can be found here.
The data also shows:
• 331 active cases and 1,211 individuals have recovered from COVID-19;
• there are 10 people in hospital and three people in intensive care; and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 16.
Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified. Preliminary laboratory testing numbers show 1,488 on Friday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 162,961.
A letter to parents has been sent to parents about a possible exposure to COVID-19 at Gordon Bell High School at 3 Borrowman Pl. in Winnipeg on Sept. 17 in the morning and afternoon. Based on the Public Health investigation, this exposure was assessed to be low risk. At this time, no close contacts have been identified at Gordon Bell. No one is required to self-isolate from this exposure. The infection was not acquired at school.
The school is working closely with public health officials and following their recommendations. The school has closed off areas used by the infected person and will not use these areas until after cleaning and disinfection have occurred.
There has been a concerning increase in the number of cases in Winnipeg. Recent success in the Prairie Mountain Health region shows that focusing on the fundamentals can reduce the transmission of COVID-19. The chief provincial public health officer strongly encourages residents of and visitors to Winnipeg to focus on the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
People must stay home if sick, wash/sanitize their hands, cover their cough and physically distance when they are with people outside their household. If you cannot physically distance, wear a mask. Be sure to avoid closed-in or crowded spaces, and close contact with those outside your household.
Unless recommended by public health officials, 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.