After a weekend that saw 116 cases, Manitoba health officials say the province has added an additional 39 to its list Monday and another death.
The data also shows:
- 618 active cases and 1,281 people have recovered,
- 13 people in hospital and seven people in intensive care; and
- the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 20.
The person who died was a man in his 70s from Prairie Mountain Health region.
“Confirmed laboratory testing numbers show 2,647 tests were completed on Friday, 2,196 tests were completed on Saturday and 1,596 tests were completed on Sunday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 180,750,” said the province.
Health Minister Cameron Friesen confirmed another COVID-19 testing site will open in Winnipeg this week.
Dr. Jenisa Naidoo of Dynacare told 680 CJOB Monday a new mobile unit is planned for Wednesday, as well as three new testing sites — two in Winnipeg and one in Brandon — opening as early as mid-October, with their exact locations to be announced by the province.
The location of the new mobile unit, she said, is likely to be announced later on Monday.
Winnipeg and its surrounding communities were placed under Code Orange restrictions Monday, mandating masks for all indoor public spaces, with the exception of schools, restaurants, bars and casinos.
People aged 5 and up should be wearing a mask during Code Orange, said Roussin, with the exception of schools.
Gathering sizes are restricted to 10 both indoors and outdoors, although again, those restrictions are not applicable to schools, restaurants, bars and casinos.
Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s Chief Public Health Officer, reiterated his statement from Friday on Monday that further restrictions may come for restaurants and bars but said the province wants to consult with the industry first.
Asked why bars and restaurants can remain open while things like weddings have to limit sizes, he said group sizes are a major factor in the spread of COVID-19, but there are already restrictions in bars and restaurants and those may become more stringent shortly.
However, he said he understands why people are frustrated.
“It’s been challenging right from the beginning,” he said. “A lot of Manitobans have faced hardships.”
Asked about when Manitoba will adopt the COVID Alert app currently being used in a few provinces, Friesen said more information will come this week.
“Now is the time to download that COVID alert application,” and the province will “turn it on” later this week.
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