The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.4 per cent and 56 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30am on October 6, 2020. One previously announced case has been removed from the case totals, bringing the net number of new cases today to 55 and the total number of cases in Manitoba to 2,246.

Public health officials advise the 24th death due to COVID-19 has been reported, a female in her 70s from the Whitemud district in Prairie Mountain Health region. This was a previously announced case linked to an outbreak in a communal living community.

Today’s data shows:

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

The data also shows:

  • 781 active cases and 1,441 individuals have recovered from COVID-19;
  • there are 28 people in hospital and seven people in intensive care; and
  • the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 24.

Laboratory testing numbers show 1,904 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 195,595. 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 the following schools:

  • Andrew Mynarski VC at 1111 Machray Ave., in Winnipeg on Sept. 28 and 29. 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 cohort will self monitor.
  • Dufferin School at 545 Alexander Ave., in Winnipeg on Sept. 28 and 29. 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.

The public is also being advised of possible exposures at these sites:

  • Mahihkan Bus Lines Oct. 1 from Winnipeg northbound at 11 a.m.to Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, Swan River, Mafeking and The Pas.
  • Tim Horton’s in Beausejour on Sept. 28 from 2 to 7pm and Sept. 29 from 2 to 9pm. Risk to the public is considered low.

People who attended any of the above locations on the dates/times listed should self-monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate if they develop and seek testing.

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 tomorrow at 6pm. For more information, visit: manitoba.ca.

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 smartphone. It is available at no cost in the Apple and Google Play app stores. For more information, visit: manitoba.ca.

Manitobans are encouraged to continue seeking care for their medical needs including routine appointments and immunizations. Beginning tomorrow, 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.

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.

Unless recommended by public health officials, 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 officials.

The online assessment tool can be found at sharedhealthmb.ca and COVID-19 symptoms can be found at gov.mb.ca.

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

For up-to-date information on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit manitoba.ca.