The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.6 per cent provincially and 13.1 in Winnipeg. As of 9:30am on December 18, 2020, 350 new cases of the virus have been identified and brings the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 22,397.

Public health officials advise 10 additional deaths in people with COVID-19 have been reported today including:

  • a male in his 40s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region;
  • a male in his 50s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at the Morris General Hospital;
  • a female in her 60s from the Winnipeg health region;
  • a female in her 70s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region;
  • a female in her 80s from the Interlake-Eastern health region, linked to the outbreak at Kin Place;
  • a male in his 80s from the Prairie Mountain Health region, linked to the outbreak at the Gilbert Plains personal care home;
  • a male in his 80s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at the Salem Home;
  • a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg;
  • a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at the Charleswood Care Centre; and
  • a male in his 90s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

  • 40 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region;
  • 89 cases in the Northern health region;
  • 31 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
  • 57 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region; and
  • 133 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:

  • 5,602 active cases and 16,248 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
  • there are 305 people in hospital with 43 people in intensive care due to COVID-19; and
  • the total number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 547.

Laboratory testing numbers show 2,167 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 398,970. Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.

A new drive-thru testing site, located at 323 Sunset Blvd. in Arborg, will open on Monday, Dec. 21. To view hours of operation, visit manitoba.ca.

Additional data related to outbreaks at correctional and health-care facilities and personal care homes is now available online. Downloadable and historic data is also available for some of the information. The data can be found at manitoba.ca.

An outbreak has been declared at Thompson General Hospital MSP ward in Thompson. The site has been moved to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Outbreaks are declared over at Brooklyn Terrace Assisted Living in Steinbach, the Boyne Lodge Personal Care Home in Carman, and Riverview Health Centre, Concordia Personal Care Home, Pembina Place Personal Care Home, Southeast Personal Care Home and Actionmarguerite St. Vital, all in Winnipeg.

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit gov.mb.ca and click on your region.

At this time, there is a very limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine. Only eligible front-line health providers will be immunized with the first 900 doses. Members of the public have been calling for appointments, which means eligible health care providers cannot get through. If you are not an eligible front-line health provider, do not call for an appointment. More information will be shared with the public about immunization clinics as the supply of vaccine increases.

The chief provincial public health officer urges Manitobans to only leave their homes for essential purposes. When leaving the house to obtain essentials, be sure to physically distance, wear a mask in indoor public places and avoid crowded spaces. Do not leave the home if you are sick, or when any member of your family is sick. Further, do not socialize with anyone from outside your household.

Public health officials are also advising that anyone who is symptomatic, or has a household member who is symptomatic, the entire household needs to self-isolate pending COVID-19 test results. For health-care workers, exceptions may apply and staff may be able/required to report to work after contacting your workplace occupational health services or designate. For information on self-isolation, including exceptions, visit gov.mb.ca.

Updated enforcement statistics are posted online weekly. For more information, go to Cross-Departmental Reports at manitoba.ca.

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