Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.78 per cent. Thirty-eight new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today. In addition, four other cases have been removed from the list. This brings the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba to 731. 

 

The data shows there was:

• one new case in Interlake–Eastern Health region;

• 20 new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;

• 12 new cases in Southern Health–Santé Sud; and

• five new cases in the Winnipeg health region. 

 

Preliminary investigations indicate the majority of today’s Prairie Mountain Health and Southern Health–Santé Sud regional cases are linked to a known cluster. Case investigations are ongoing and when they are completed, additional information will be provided as needed to inform of any public health risks. 

 

The data also shows:

• 11 current hospitalizations, with three individuals in intensive care;

• 232 active cases and 490 individuals have recovered from COVID-19; and

• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is nine.

 

Public health officials are advising of a potential exposure to COVID-19 may have occurred Aug. 5 to 7 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 7-11 at 3360 Victoria St. in Brandon. While the risk of transmission is considered low, information is being provided to help people assess their risk and seek testing if symptoms appear. 

 

Manitobans are strongly encouraged to return to the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means not going out while you feel ill, practising proper hand hygiene, covering your cough and physical distancing when you are with people outside your household. If you cannot physical distance, consider wearing a mask. 

 

Testing numbers show an additional 1,716 laboratory tests were completed on Sunday, bringing the total number of tests completed since early February to 115,963.

 

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. 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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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED