March 15, 2020
COVID-19 Bulletin #14
Updated information is now available about the three presumptive positive cases announced earlier on March 15.
Case five is a man in his 70s who lives in Winnipeg. At this time, it appears this man was exposed to the virus through travel. Case six is a woman in her 70s who lives in a community in the area of the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority. At this time, it appears this woman was exposed to the virus through travel. Case seven is a woman in her 50s who lives in Winnipeg. At this time, it appears this woman was exposed to the virus through travel. Patient contact and public health investigations are ongoing.
A site will open in Thompson tomorrow, Monday, March 16 to help determine if individuals need to be screened or tested for COVID-19. It will operate daily from 9 am to 4 pm in the Thompson Clinic in the Plaza Mall. Staff will also provide advice about precautions people can take to reduce their risk and advice about self-isolation, if required. Clients who present to the site will be triaged upon arrival and directed for testing as appropriate. Locations of screening and testing sites other communities across the province are being confirmed. Details will be shared once available.
Manitobans are reminded that only individuals who have recently returned from an international trip recently and also have a fever, cough or other symptoms of a respiratory illness should be tested for COVID-19.
All Manitobans, including health-care providers, are strongly advised to cancel or postpone any non-essential international travel. In addition, public health officials are recommending all international travellers should self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after returning to Canada.
Work is underway to finalize guidelines for health-care workers and critical infrastructure workers who return from international travel to address any impacts on essential services.
People are encouraged to take common prevention measures including regular handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds. Make sure to dry hands thoroughly. Alternatively, people can use an alcohol-based hand cleanser if their hands are not visibly dirty. People should also cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough or sneeze into their sleeve.
For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19.
- 30 -