News Releases

Media Bulletin - Manitoba

March 29, 2020

COVID-19 Bulletin #35



Watch news conference





Public health officials advise eight additional probable cases of COVID-19 have been identified as of 9:30 a.m., bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba to 72 at this time.  The total number of deaths reported in Manitoba remains at one.

Public health investigations are underway to determine additional details and to confirm the possible exposure of these cases.  Case data, including possible events and locations where people may have come into contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, will be updated at www.manitoba.ca/covid19 when available.

The public is reminded that under The Public Health Act, the following measures will be in place, effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 30:
•    Public gatherings will be limited to no more than 10 people at any indoor or outdoor place or premises.  This includes places of worship, gatherings and family events such as weddings and funerals.  This does not apply to a facility where health care or social services are provided including child-care centres and homeless shelters.  
•    Retail businesses including grocery or food stores, shopping centres, pharmacies or gas stations must ensure separation of one to two metres between patrons assembling in the business.  
•    Public transportation facilities must also ensure that people assembling at the facility are reasonably able to maintain a separation of one to two metres.

Other restrictions first introduced in a public health order issued on March 20 remain in effect.

Public health officials continue to strongly advise all Manitobans, including health-care providers, to cancel or postpone any recreational, tourist or non-essential international or domestic travel.  In addition, anyone who returns from international or domestic travel must self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days following their return.

This does not include:
•    workers involved with 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.

A community testing site will open Monday in Pine Falls at École Powerview School at 33 Vincent St.  Hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.  There are 15 community testing sites in Manitoba, including six drive-thru locations, with plans to open in more communities in the next week.  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.


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.

For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19.


- 30 -

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED




Backgrounder
Background Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2020/03/BG-COVID-19_Bulletin_35-HL_.pdf