August 23, 2020
COVID-19 Bulletin #165
Watch news conference
Public health officials advise that the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.7 per cent. Seventy-two new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 944.
The data shows there were:
• one new case in Northern Health Region;
• one new case in Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority;
• 45 new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region;
• 16 new cases in Southern Health-Santé Sud; and
• nine cases in the Winnipeg health region.
Preliminary investigations indicate the majority of the PMH cases are linked to intentional testing related to known clusters in communal living communities. The Northern Health Region case is linked to a previously-announced case from PMH. There are seven cases related to the outbreak at Bethesda Place personal care home, a combination of staff and residents. Case investigations are ongoing and when they are completed, additional information will be provided as needed to inform of any public health risks.
The data also shows:
• seven current hospitalizations, with one individual in intensive care;
• 356 active cases and 576 individuals have recovered from COVID-19; and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is twelve.
Testing numbers show an additional 1,839 laboratory tests were completed on Saturday, bringing the total number of tests completed since early February to 125,300.
Manitobans are reminded Prairie Mountain Health region has been elevated to the restricted level (orange) according to the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. As of Monday, Aug. 24, masks will be mandatory in all public indoor places and at all indoor and outdoor public gatherings in the region. Public gatherings will also be restricted to 10 people, both indoors and outdoors. Manitobans within this region are encouraged to take these extra precautions immediately to help slow the spread of this virus. Public health officials continue to monitor the regions with increased cases closely to see if additional restrictions are necessary.
Manitobans are strongly encouraged to return to the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means not going out while you feel ill, practicing proper hand hygiene, covering your cough, not sharing items, and physical distancing when you are with people outside your household. If you can’t physical 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. 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.
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