September 12, 2020
COVID-19 Bulletin #186
Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.4 per cent and 17 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today bringing the number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 1,410.
The data shows:
- five cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
- two cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
- two case in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
- eight cases in the Winnipeg health region.
The data also shows:
- 238 active cases and 1,156 individuals have recovered from COVID-19;
- there are 13 people in hospital and four people in intensive care; and
- the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 16.
Of the 17 new cases, eight are close contacts of a known case.Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.
Preliminary laboratory testing numbers show 1,424 tests were completed on Friday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 153,231.
Public health officials are advising of a possible exposure at Ecole New Era School at 527 Louise Ave. in Brandon on Friday, Sept. 11 from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The individual attended school for a limited time while asymptomatic. The public health investigation indicates that transmission was not acquired at school. The school and cohort are being notified. Additional cleaning of high-touch areas is being undertaken out of an abundance of caution.
The risk is deemed low as physical distancing was maintained while at school and a mask was worn. There are no close contacts connected to the case and public health officials have not advised anyone to self-isolate. Others who were at the site not need to self-isolate, but should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. The site is not being elevated on the Pandemic Response System, given the low risk and lack of close contacts.
Previously announced positive cases include a health-care worker and an out-patient at the Carberry Health Centre. Several staff have been identified as close contacts, and are required to self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms. Due to these staffing issues, the site was closed to acute and emergency care late in the day on Friday, Sept. 11. It is expected the closures will continue until Wednesday, Sept. 23. Plans are for the site to reopen on Thursday, Sept. 24.
Current patients have been transferred to other sites in the region and the region is providing information to community members about other options for care during the closure. At this time, there have been no exposures linked to the personal care home in community. The site is now listed on the Pandemic Response System as Critical (Red).
Public health officials are advising of potential exposures to COVID-19 on several different dates and locations. The exposure risk is low, but those who were at these locations on these dates and times are asked to monitor for symptoms and seek testing if symptoms develop.
- Winnipeg Transit routes 11 and 14 on Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and Sept. 2. from approximately 8 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. and from 7:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. on each day;
- Sept. 5 between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. and Sept. 6 between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m. at the Ibex Restaurant at 626 Sargent Ave. in Winnipeg;
- Sept. 6 at the Smitty’s Restaurant at 1017 St. James St. in Winnipeg, between 10 and 11 a.m.
Public health officials strongly encourage all Manitobans to return to 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.
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