August 30, 2020
COVID-19 Bulletin #172
Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.2 per cent and 35 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 1,186.
The data shows:
• one new case in the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority;
• 12 new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• five new cases in Southern Health-Santé Sud; and
• 17 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
The data also shows:
• 462 active cases and 710 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 will not be available today. It is expected this data will be available on Monday.
Preliminary investigations show that eight of the cases announced today are close contacts of previously-announced cases. Additional case investigations are continuing.
Preliminary testing numbers show an additional 1,542 laboratory tests were completed on Saturday, bringing the total number of tests completed since early February to 134,920.
Case investigations indicate three cases previously-identified in the Prairie Mountain Health region are linked to a unit on the second floor of the Assiniboine Building of the Brandon Regional Health Centre in Brandon. This information has been shared with families and staff. Close contacts are being identified and the case investigations are continuing.
While the risk is assessed to be low, the site has initiated outbreak protocols out of an abundance of caution. This means the second floor of the Assiniboine Building is putting additional measures in place to further reduce the risk to residents and staff, and is restricting visitation. The second floor of the Assiniboine Building 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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