Manitoba health officials reported an additional four cases of the novel coronavirus Friday, bringing the province’s total number of cases to 279.
As of yesterday, another 689 laboratory tests were performed. This brings the total number of tests performed since early February to 25,402.
“Our numbers have been flat as of late thanks to Manitobans’ strong efforts,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief medical health officer.
Roussin warned that while they are moving forward with a ‘cautious plan’ to reopen the economy, that does not include things like garage sales.
He also reminded ‘Tobans that people who have any kind of respiratory symptoms should not be heading out as safety restrictions ease, and they should call Health Links to get tested.
“We’ve not had significant community transmission or in care homes,” and we’d like to keep it that way, he added.
As of Friday, all of Manitoba’s 127 licensed PCHs have staff in place for the new restrictions on staff travel between sites, said Lanette Siragusa of Shared Health.
She added people who test positive from now on will be asked about their racial background. She said the answers are voluntary, but the information will be used to identify gaps in care and make sure vulnerable populations are taken care of.
Work is underway to get a new testing site established at Thunderbird House to support access to testing for Winnipeg’s homeless and shelter populations, Siragusa said.
People will be able to access their test results online or by phone, and information on how to access those services will come next week, she added.
The province will launch an education campaign called being “COVID careful” in cottage country.
The campaign is “to remind all campers and cottagers that COVID-19 guidelines must be followed.”
On Thursday, the province announced two new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total of probable and confirmed cases to 275.
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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