August 29, 2020
COVID-19 Bulletin #171
Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.6 per cent and 55 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today. This brings the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 1,151.
The data shows:
• 31 new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• five new cases in Southern Health-Santé Sud; and
• 19 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
The data also shows:
• 444 active cases and 693 individuals have recovered from COVID-19; and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 14.
Due to data system upgrades this weekend, hospitalization and intensive care unit data are not available today. It is expected this data will be available on Sunday.
Preliminary investigations show that 19 of the cases announced today are close contacts of previously-announced cases. Additional case investigations are continuing, and information will be updated when available.
Preliminary testing numbers show an additional 1,293 laboratory tests were completed on Friday, bringing the total number of tests completed since early February to 133,378.
Preliminary investigations indicate a case previously identified in the Prairie Mountain Health region is a health care worker from the Hillcrest Place personal care home in Brandon. The individual wore personal protective equipment and is self-isolating. Close contacts have been identified and the case investigation is continuing.
This information has been shared with families, staff and close contacts. While the risk is assessed to be low, the site has initiated outbreak protocols in an abundance of caution. This means the site is putting additional measures in place to further reduce the risk to residents and staff, and is restricting visitation at the facility. The site is moving to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.
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, practicing proper hand hygiene, covering your cough and physical distancing when you are with people outside your household. If you can’t physical distance, wear a mask.
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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