News Releases

Media Bulletin - Manitoba

April 20, 2020

COVID-19 Bulletin #57



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Public health officials advise one new case of COVID-19 was identified as of 9:30 a.m. today, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba to 254. In addition, a sixth death has been reported, a woman in her 80s. No other patient-specific information is available at this time.

The data also shows:
•    eight individuals are currently hospitalized, which includes five individuals in intensive care;
•    105 active cases and 144 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; and
•    the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is now six.

On March 20, the Manitoba government declared a provincewide state of emergency under The Emergency Measures Act, to protect the health and safety of all Manitobans and reduce the spread of COVID-19. This state of emergency is being extended for an additional 30 days.

This builds on the expansion of public health orders that limit the size of gatherings, close restaurants and non-critical businesses, require people entering Manitoba to self-isolate for 14 days and restrict travel to northern Manitoba (north of the 53rd parallel of latitude).

Extending the state of emergency will ensure measures can stay in place to protect the health of people across the province.

Cadham Provincial Laboratory performed 260 tests on Sunday. A total of 20,012 tests have been performed since early February. Public health officials have continued to expand testing criteria and want to ensure all those who are eligible for testing are tested. Anyone who thinks they might meet the criteria for testing should call Health Links–Info Santé or work through the online screening tool to determine if they should be tested.

Testing is focused on symptomatic people from the following categories:
•    travellers returning to Manitoba;
•    close contact with a confirmed case;
•    lab workers who have worked with COVID-19 tests;
•    health-care workers;
•    people who live/work in the north, isolated or group settings, correctional facilities, shelters, long-term care or residential facilities or remote work camps;
•    first responders;
•    workers or volunteers at workplaces that have been identified as essential services; and
•    any symptomatic person who lives with a health-care worker, first responder or worker in a congregate setting such as a correctional facility, shelter, long-term care or residential facility.

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 up-to-date information on community screening sites, visit 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.

A comprehensive list of Manitoba government COVID-19 measures can be found at:
https://manitoba.ca/bg/2020/04/covid19.html.

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