March 24, 2020
COVID-19 Bulletin #30
Watch news conference
Public health officials advise one additional probable case of COVID-19 has been identified, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba to 21 at this time.
The newest probable positive case is a man in his 40s who lives in Winnipeg. Public health investigation is underway and working to determine if the case is related to travel. Information about flights where a person with a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 had symptoms at the time of travel are updated as information becomes available at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/flights.html.
Non-essential and routine diagnostic testing, including laboratory, imaging and non-invasive cardiac services, will be postponed as Manitoba continues to respond to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Urgent diagnostic testing, including tests and procedures required for immediate care management, will continue with appropriate screening and precautions in place. Affected patients will be contacted directly and urged to contact their doctor immediately if symptoms worsen. Appointments will be rescheduled as quickly as possible following response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The public is reminded that visitor access at hospitals has been suspended. Exceptions for compassionate and end-of-life reasons will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis and visitors will be appropriately screened for travel, symptoms and exposure to COVID-19. For labour and delivery as well as pediatric patients, one visitor continues to be allowed, with the same stringent screening in place.
Visitor access at long-term care facilities is also subject to significant restrictions, which will now include screening for visitors who have returned from travel outside the province in the last 14 days. These measures are in place to protect patients, residents and staff.
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, effective immediately, public health officials are recommending that anyone who returns from travel, either international or domestic, 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;
• normal personal travel in border communities, including visits to a cottage.
If symptoms develop during the 14-day self-isolation or self-monitoring period, contact Health Links– Info Santé to determine if testing for COVID-19 should be considered. In cases where testing is not recommended but symptoms are present, stay home (self-isolate) until well.
Health officials are reminding health-care workers (including physicians, providers and staff) returning from travel they MUST self-identify to their organization/site’s occupational health services. Health-care workers from organizations that do not have Occupational Health Services can call (toll-free) 1-888-203-4066.
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.
A new community testing drive-thru site will officially open Wednesday in Winkler at the Winkler Centennial Arena at 600 Park St. Hours are daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. When it opens, it will be Manitoba’s 12th community testing site and fourth drive-thru location. 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.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Backgrounder
Background Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2020/03/BG-COVID-19_Bulletin_30-HL.pdf