Health officials say Manitoba has no new cases of COVID-19 to report Wednesday.
Manitoba’s chief public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, said the province’s total number of cases remains at 290, with four people in hospital, including one in intensive care.
He said 251 Manitobans are listed as recovered from the virus and there are 32 reported active cases. The number of people who have died remains at seven.
On Tuesday 527 lab tests for COVID-19 were completed, Roussin said, bringing the total done to date in Mantioba to 31,946.
With the May long weekend coming up, Roussin reminded Manitobans to be cautious and keep practicing social distancing.
“A lot of people will be thinking about going camping or to the cabin this weekend,” he said.
“We want to make sure Manitobans stay safe when they do so, ensure that you’re taking everything that you need with you to avoid making extra stops along the way, limit your close, prolonged contact with others, and … if you’re ill, you need to be staying home.
“This is important for our move forward to reopen things gradually and cautiously, it’s paramount that Manitobans do not go out when they’re feeling ill.”
Roussin said anyone with respiratory symptoms — cough, runny nose, sore throat, or fever — should be tested for COVID-19.
“It’s vital to our opening strategy that we find cases early, have people isolating, and do contact investigations,” he said.
Information on COVID0-19 testing is available by calling Health Links – Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 or checking out Shared Health’s an online screening tool.
But Chief Nursing Officer for Shared Health Lanette Siragusa said starting Thursday COVID-19 testing sites across the province will begin accepting self referrals, meaning Manitobans will no longer need to call Health Links – Info Santé before showing up for a test.
“At that testing site individuals will be asked questions about their symptoms and given information on self-isolating … while waiting for the test results,” she said.
“The testing continues to be directed to those people who show symptoms — whether cold or flu symptoms — but if you have symptoms you don’t have to call Health Links.”
There are currently 16 COVID-19 testing sites in communities throughout Manitoba. A list of locations and hours is available at the province’s website.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
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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