Manitoba is on the cusp of completing 200,000 COVID-19 tests.

Public health officials advise the 25th, 26th and 27th deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported, a female in her 90s from Winnipeg linked to the outbreak at Parkview Place, a male in his 70s from Winnipeg and a male is his 60s from the Stonewall district in Interlake-Eastern health region linked to a communal living community. These cases were previously announced.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.4 per cent and 32 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today bringing the total number of cases in Manitoba to 2,278.

Today’s data shows:

  • two cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
  • three cases in the Southern Health - Santé Sud health region;
  • five cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region; and
  • 22 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:

  • 803 active cases and 1,448 individuals have recovered from COVID-19;
  • there are 25 people in hospital and six people in intensive care; and
  • the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 27.

Laboratory testing numbers show 2,395 tests were completed yesterday bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 197,988. Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.

Public health officials are advised about additional possible exposures at schools, including:

  • Ecole Charleswood School, 505 Oakdale Dr., in Winnipeg on Sept. 24 to 25, 28 to 30. Based on the public health investigation, there is no evidence of in-school transmission, or that a case was acquired in school. Public health is reaching out to close contacts to advise self-isolation and the impacted cohort is transitioning to remote learning.
  • St John’s Ravenscourt, 400 South Dr., in Winnipeg on Sept. 30, and Oct 1-2 and 6. Based on the public health investigation, there is no evidence of in-school transmission, or that a case was acquired in school. Public health is reaching out to close contacts to advise self-isolation, and one class will self monitor.

A COVID-19 cluster has been identified at the Metropolitan Kiwanis Courts,
in Winnipeg. The site is moving to Restricted (orange) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. 

Public health officials have declared the COVID-19 outbreak over at the Hillcrest Place personal care home in Brandon. The site has returned to the Caution (yellow) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. 

After consultation with the restaurant and food industry, public health is implementing several orders for licensed premises in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region. They include reduced service hours for liquor and operation and require the premise to obtain contact information of patrons in groups of 10. The orders will go into force today, Oct 7, at 6:00 p.m. For more information visit manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/winnipeg/index.html#licensedpremises.

The Health Canada COVID Alert app is now available to Manitoba residents and provides digital COVID-19 exposure alerts once the app is downloaded to a smart phone. It is available at no cost in the Apple and Google Play app stores. For more information, visit manitoba.ca/covid19/updates/covidalert.html.  

Beginning today, the requirement for non-medical masks in all Manitoba health facilities will extend to doctors’ offices and community service providers affiliated with Manitoba’s health regions. Anyone seeking treatment in, or visiting, a public health-care setting will be required to bring and wear a non-medical mask. Accommodations do exist for those who are not able to wear a mask for medical reasons.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, public health is providing guidelines for how to enjoy fall holidays and celebrations while reducing the potential spread of COVID-19. For more information, visit  manitoba.ca/covid19/updates/prepareandprevent.html#holidays

The chief provincial public health officer strongly encourages Manitobans to reduce the number of close contacts outside their household, and avoid closed-in or crowded spaces. In addition, they should focus on these fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19:

  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Wash/sanitize your hands and cover your cough.
  • Physically distance when you are with people outside your household.
  • If you cannot physically distance, wear a mask to help reduce the risk to others or as required by public health orders.