News Releases

Media Bulletin - Manitoba

February 13, 2020

Novel Coronavirus Bulletin #3



Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living and public health officials are reminding Manitobans that the risk of the novel coronavirus in Manitoba remains low.  Manitoba officials continue to work closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to monitor the situation as it evolves.

As of Feb. 13, 15 tests have been completed for the novel coronavirus in Manitoba.  At this time, there are no laboratory-confirmed cases here.

Suspected and confirmed cases of novel coronavirus are required to be reported to Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer.  To date, seven cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Canada.  All confirmed cases are in Ontario and British Columbia.

In light of the evolving knowledge of the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus, PHAC is recommending that travellers who have been in the province of Hubei, including the city of Wuhan, self-isolate for 14 days after departing the area.  PHAC is also recommending that travellers returning from the rest of mainland China self-monitor for 14 days from when they left mainland China.  For information on self-isolation visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/factsheets/coronavirus_selfisolation.pdf.

If you are ill with symptoms that may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, and have recently traveled to an affected area, or if you are ill and have been in close contact (within two metres/six feet) with an ill person connected to the current outbreak, call Health Links–Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) for advice on where to seek care.  If it is an emergency, call 911.

At this time, public health officials are not recommending the use of masks in public places, as there is no evidence that wearing masks significantly reduces the risk of getting the virus in this context.

Common prevention measures for viruses, such as the novel coronavirus, influenza and others.  include regular hand washing with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand cleanser.  It is important to clean your hands:
•    after coughing or sneezing;
•    when caring for a sick person;
•    before, during and after food preparation;
•    before eating;
•    after toilet use; and
•    when hands are visibly dirty.

Additional precautions include covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.  Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of a respiratory illness, such as coughing or sneezing.

PHAC has issued travel health notices about coronavirus.  For more information, visit:https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/210?_ga=2.260947853.1094428749.1578423601-32662530.1555003301.

For links to more information, visit the Manitoba public health website at:
www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/coronavirus.html.  

For health questions or more information on respiratory illness, Manitobans can phone Health Links–Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).

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