Two more people have died in Manitoba as the number of novel coronavirus cases continues to rise, especially in Winnipeg.
Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief medical health officer, said Monday that Winnipeggers need to take more precautions, especially when they’re getting together with family and friends.
“We hit this second wave sooner than what we were anticipating,” said Roussin, repeating his message about going back to the fundamentals – washing hands, not going out when you’re sick, and wearing a mask.
The total cases in Manitoba is now 1,608, with 363 active cases, 1,227 recovered and 8 people in hospital. Two people are still in ICU and 18 people have died.
There were 1,476 tests Sunday, bring the total number of tests to 166,998.
The province confirmed a possible exposure last week at Garden City Collegiate on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
“At this time, no close contacts in the classrooms have been identified at Garden City Collegiate. No one is required to self-isolate from this exposure. The school will remain open to students and staff, who can continue to attend school in person.”
Public health is also advising of possible exposures to COVID-19 at the following sites on the dates and times:
- Planet Fitness at 783 Leila Ave. in Winnipeg on Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 3 to 4 p.m.;
- 7 Arabian Dreams at 775 Corydon Ave. in Winnipeg on Friday, Sept. 18 from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday, Sept. 20 from 12:45 to 1 a.m.; and
- Winnipeg Transit, route #14 on Sept. 15 from Ellice Avenue and Spence Street at 11:10 a.m. to St. Mary Avenue at 11:30 a.m.
Asked about the large number of cases and increasing wait times, Roussin said the province is working to increase the number of testing sites in Winnipeg.
However, he did not have a day or time when new sites would open.
Roussin added they are still working on adding the COVID tracking app, which is currently in use in Ontario and Saskatchewan.
“We’re still working on how we’re going to apply that,” he said.
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