Public health officials have confirmed another two residents of Bethesda Place in Steinbach, who had COVID-19, have died. The individuals are two females, one in her 80s and one in her 90s. Both cases are from the Steinbach health district and were previously announced cases connected to a known outbreak there. These are the 15th and 16th deaths related to COVID-19 in our province.

Twenty new cases of the virus have been identified as of Thursday at 9:30 am. None of those new cases are within Southern Health. This brings the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 1,264. The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.3 per cent.

The data shows:
• six cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• one case in Interlake-Eastern health region; and
• 13 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:
• 457 active cases and 791 individuals have recovered from COVID-19,
• there are 12 people in hospital and one person in intensive care, and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 16.

Manitoba's Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin says there are now 13 cases linked to the outbreak at Bethesda Place in Steinbach. This includes seven staff and six residents. Four of those residents have passed away.

Preliminary investigations indicate that almost half of today’s Winnipeg regional cases are close contacts to known cases. Investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.

Confirmed laboratory testing numbers show an additional 1,339 tests were completed on Wednesday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 140,982.

Public health advises of potential public exposure to COVID-19 may have occurred Aug. 19 to 21 at the ABC Taxi Cabs and Limousine Service at 144 12th St. in Brandon. Times of exposures are listed online and can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event.

With the increased number of cases in southern Manitoba, public health is re-implementing travel restrictions to northern Manitoba and remote communities, effective tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 4. In addition to the orders, all travellers are asked to respect any restrictions that First Nation communities have in place, as these communities are working with the advice of public health officials to ensure the health and safety of their residents. There are exceptions for travelling directly to a campground or lodge. If you are travelling to the north, you are required to limit any stops to just the necessities outside of your camping or lodge destination. Details of the orders will be posted shortly.

Ahead of the long weekend, Manitobans are strongly encouraged to return to the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means not going out while you feel ill, practising proper hand hygiene, covering your cough and physical distancing when you are with people outside your household. If you cannot physically distance, wear a mask. If you are travelling, remember to be ‘COVID-Careful’ by gassing up at home and ensuring all supplies are packed with you, so extra stops do not need to made along the way.

Unless recommended by public health, only individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should go for testing. Individuals with symptoms are asked to seek testing as soon as possible once symptoms are present.

Employers are asked to only send employees for testing if they have symptoms or if testing has been recommended by public health. The online assessment tool can be found at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/ and COVID-19 symptoms can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/about.html#collapse4.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.