One more probably case of Covid-19 in Manitoba

March 27, 2020, 4:29 am

Public health officials advise on March 26 one additional probable case of COVID-19 has been identified in Manitoba, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba to 36 at this time.

The newest case is a man in his 20s who lives in Winnipeg.

Public health investigations are underway to determine additional details and to confirm the possible exposure of this case. Information about flights where a person with a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 had symptoms at the time of travel is updated as information becomes available at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/flights.html.

Public health officials advise that case numbers and the total number of cases are different because one case was retested and was found to be negative.

Cadham Provincial Laboratory performed 734 tests on Wednesday, March 25, up from the day before when 352 tests were completed. As of March 25, a total of 5,606 tests have been performed.

Public health officials are expanding testing criteria to include the following groups of people at risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 and are showing respiratory symptoms:
• Health-care workers; and
• individuals who live/work in a remote or isolated community or a group setting, such as a correctional facility, shelter, long- term care or residential facility, or a remote work camp.

Symptomatic travellers outside of Manitoba, close contacts of a confirmed case, and lab workers who have worked with COVID-19 tests will continue to be tested.

Public health officials are strongly advising all Manitobans, including health-care providers, to cancel or postpone any non-essential travel. This includes international travel and travel within Canada. There should be no recreational, tourist or non-essential personal travel. In addition, public health officials recommended that effective March 23, anyone who returns from international or domestic travel should self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days following their return.

This recommendation does not include:
• the commercial transportation of goods and services;
• workers who live in a neighbouring jurisdiction and travel to Manitoba for work;
• health-care workers who travel to work from outside the province; and
• normal personal travel in border communities including visits to a cottage.

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.

Additional community test sites will officially open Friday, March 27 in Eriksdale at the Eriksdale Wellness Centre, 35 Railway Ave. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and in Pine Falls at the École Powerview School, 33 Vincent St. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The community testing site in The Pas has been relocated to the Wescana Inn at 439 Fischer Ave. and will continue to be open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are now 12 community testing sites including four drive-thru locations. The public is reminded that a referral to these sites is needed and they are not walk-in clinics. Information on locations and hours of operation are available at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/locations.html.

For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit:
www.manitoba.ca/covid19.