Families minister Heather Stefanson is calling on closed child care centres to open in the province to help those working on the front line.
“We’re asking them to open up, to care,” she said in a press conference Thursday.
About 75 per cent of daycares closed in the wake of the coronavirus crisis about two weeks ago.
“We also know that there is a need for other child care for front line health care workers,” said Stefanson.
Stefanson said while the daycares that are currently open aren’t full, she anticipates demand will increase.
About 1,600 spaces are currently open, and 1,200 are being used, she said.
Current funding for daycares is in place for three months and will continue to flow whether daycares open or not, said Stefanson.
Asked how she can reassure workers they will not get sick, she offered the following words:
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“We certainly take our advice from the chief public health officer. He’s said it’s fine for these services to stay open with up to 16 kids.”
As of Thursday, Manitoba had 167 probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases. One person has died, five people were in the hospital and 11 have recovered.
Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief public health officer, confirmed on Wednesday Manitoba is now seeing cases of community transmission.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
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