Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief public health officer, speaks during the province’s latest COVID-19 update at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg, Tuesday, March 24, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
WINNIPEG — Fourteen new probable cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) have been reported in Manitoba, bringing the provincial total to 35. The new cases make up the largest spike in cases provincewide since the pandemic began.
Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief public health officer, says one Winnipeg woman in her 60s is in intensive care in hospital.
Initial indications are that most of the new cases are connected to travel. Manitoba has not yet seen community transmission, unlike some other provinces, but Roussin said he expects that to happen.
He urged people to stay home if possible and avoid spending time in close proximity to others.
“We are not helpless against this virus. Many of our social-distancing strategies that we’ve put in place … can interrupt the transmission of this virus going forward.”
The Manitoba government declared a state of emergency last week that limits gatherings to 50 people but allows most retail stores to remain open.
Those measures may be strengthened depending on what happens in the near future, Roussin has said.
The province has also suspended non-essential, routine diagnostic testing to protect health-care workers and patients.
Case information includes:
• case 23 is a woman in her 30s who lives in Winnipeg,
• case 24 is a girl under the age of 10 who lives in Winnipeg,
• case 25 is a woman in her 40s who lives in Winnipeg,
• case 26 is a man in his 30s who lives in Winnipeg,
• case 27 is a woman in her 60s who lives in Winnipeg,
• case 28 is a woman in her 60s who lives in Winnipeg and receiving treatment in intensive care in hospital,
• case 29 is a man in his 40s who lives in Winnipeg,
• case 30 is a woman in her 30s who lives in a community in the area of the Southern Health Santé Sud health region,
• case 31 is a woman in her 40s who lives in Winnipeg,
• case 32 is a man in his 60s who lives in Winnipeg,
• case 33 is a woman in her 60s who lives in Winnipeg,
• case 34 is a woman in her 50s who lives in community in the area of the Southern Health Santé Sud health region,
• case 35 is a woman in her 20s who lives in Winnipeg, and
• case 36 is an individual who was tested in the Prairie Mountain Health region.
Public health officials advise that case numbers and the total number of cases are different because one case was retested and was found to be negative.
Anyone concerned about their exposure to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms should call Health Links — Info Santé at (204) 788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
An online screening tool is also available. If needed, it directs those who may require a conversation with a health-care professional to Health Links — Info Santé. People who want to self-screen can call 1-877-308-9038.
Further information on COVID-19 can be found at Manitoba.ca/covid19.
— With files from The Canadian Press
