Coronavirus: 2 new cases in Manitoba reported; asymptomatic carriers visited WalMart, Home Depot

Two new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Manitoba, according to provincial health officials Thursday.

This brings the total number of probable and confirmed novel coronavirus cases to 308 in the province, with eight active cases and 293 recoveries.

One of those cases was from someone who had self-isolated after travelling internationally, and the other case was someone who lived with them.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s Chief Medical Health Officer, said one of the two new cases moved around in the community when they were asymptomatic.

They went to Home Depot on Bishop Grandin Boulevard June 12 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., and Walmart on Kenaston Boulevard on June 13 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., said Roussin.

Roussin stressed because they were asymptomatic, the risk was very low for community transmission.

Health officials announced two new probable cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, bringing the province’s total to 306. Those two cases were also household contacts of each other, but officials say they haven’t been able to determine a source of transmission. As of Wednesday, only six cases remain active and none were in hospital.

So far, there have been seven COVID-19-related deaths in Manitoba since the virus was first reported in March.

Manitoba premier Brian Pallister announced details of the province’s third phase of reopening amid COVID-19 Wednesday.

The further easing of restrictions, which start Sunday, include allowing public gatherings of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, so long as people can stay two metres apart.

Interprovincial travel between Manitoba and western provinces, up to west of Terrace Bay in Ontario — about 220 kilometres east of Thunder Bay — no longer requires a two-week self-isolation period.

Child-care facilities can open to full capacity and retail occupancy limits will be removed.

Bars and restaurants can open to full capacity, a change from the draft plan, which previously said they could open to 75 per cent capacity.

1:26 Coronavirus: Manitoba to enter reopening Phase 3 on June 21

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. In situations where you can’t keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend the use of a non-medical face mask or covering to prevent spreading the respiratory droplets that can carry the virus.

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