24 new cases of Covid-19 in Manitoba
September 22, 2020, 1:04 pm
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.8 per cent and 24 new cases of the virus have been identified as of Tuesday, September 22, 2020, bringing the number of cases in Manitoba to 1,632.
The data shows:
• two cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• two cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud region; and
• 20 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
The data also shows:
• 380 active cases and 1,234 individuals have recovered from COVID-19;
• there are eight people in hospital and two people in intensive care; and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 18.
Confirmed laboratory testing numbers show 1,205 tests were completed on Monday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 167,203.
Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified. As of today, there are 20 confirmed cases associated with the John Pritchard School cluster, however, investigations continue.
Public health officials have advised Collège Louis-Riel of a confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the school on Sept. 14. The school is working closely with public health officials and following their recommendations. Upon learning of this information, the school facility immediately closed off areas used by the infected person and did not use these areas until after cleaning and disinfection occurred.
Close contacts have been identified and are self-isolating. No one else is required to self-isolate from this exposure at this time and the school remains open. The infection was not acquired at school. Based on the public health investigation, this exposure was assessed to be low risk.
Case investigations indicate two previously identified cases are linked to Maplewood Manor in Southern Health–Santé Sud. 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, Maplewood Manor has initiated outbreak protocols in an abundance of caution. The assisted living facility has put additional measures in place to further reduce the risk to residents and staff, and are restricting visitation. The facility has moved to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.
Public health is advising of possible exposures to COVID-19 at the following sites on the dates and times:
• the lounge at The Keg Steakhouse and Bar, 115 Garry St. in Winnipeg on Sept. 15 from 6 to 11:45 p.m. and Sept. 16 from 3:45 to 8:30 p.m.;
• Winnipeg Transit, route #47 on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13 from Mayfair Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Way at approximately 11:32 a.m. to Kildaire Avenue West and Kooteney Crescent at 12:10 p.m.; and
• Winnipeg Transit, route #47 on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13 from Plessis Road and Rosseau Avenue at approximately 9:45 p.m. to Mayfair Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Way at 10:20 p.m.
The Manitoba government is contracting with Dynacare to open and operate several COVID-19 specimen collection sites in the province. Initially, it will provide an additional 1,400 tests a day, with the ability to increase to 2,600 more. The company is beginning to recruit staff to open a mobile collection site as early as Sept. 28 in Winnipeg. In addition, drive-thru sites will be opened in Winnipeg, Brandon, Winkler, Portage and Dauphin in the coming weeks. Additional information will be available as sites open.
The chief provincial public health officer strongly encourages residents of and visitors to Winnipeg to focus on these fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
• People must stay home if sick.
• Wash/sanitize your hands, cover your cough and physically distance when you are with people outside your household.
• If you cannot physically distance, you should wear a mask to help reduce your risk.
• Reduce the number of close contacts outside your household, and avoid closed-in or crowded spaces.
Unless recommended by public health officials, 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 officials.
The online assessment tool can be found athttps://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.
