The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 4.4 per cent provincially and 3.4 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30am on March 17, 2021, 96 new cases of the virus have been identified.  However, three cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 93 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 32,996.

Public health officials advise no additional deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today.

Public health officials are announcing that nine additional confirmed cases as a result of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant of concern first identified in the United Kingdom have been detected. The cases identified today are all from the Winnipeg health region.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

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

The data also shows:

  • 1,035 active cases and 31,044 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
  • 61 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 88 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 149 hospitalizations;
  • 10 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 11 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 21 ICU patients;
  • the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 917; and
  • the total number of confirmed variant of concern cases of B.1.1.7 is 52 and B.1.351 is 12, bringing the total number of confirmed variant of concern cases to 64.

Laboratory testing numbers show 2,007 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 554,775.

Additional data related to COVID-19, including data on outbreaks as well as some downloadable and historic data, can be found at geoportal.gov.mb.ca.

Public health officials advise of a possible exposure to the B.1.1.7 variant of concern at Costco (St. James), 1315 St. James St., Winnipeg on Mar. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Any person experiencing symptoms since attending the site should isolate immediately and go for testing. For further assistance, contact Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required. For up-to-date information on testing sites, visit gov.mb.ca.

Outbreaks have been declared at River East Personal Care Home, Heritage Lodge Long Term Care Home and Extendicare/Oakview Place, all of which are in Winnipeg. The facilities have been moved to the Critical (red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

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.

The chief provincial public health officer reminds Manitobans to self-isolate immediately at the onset of possible COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild. This means staying home from work, school or other daily activities, and not visiting with others. Testing should be done as soon as possible once symptoms appear. For information on COVID-19 symptoms and guidance on when you should get tested, visit manitoba.ca.

Manitobans are encouraged to travel only if essential and 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, only socialize with your two designated people as per the current public health orders.

Public health officials are also advising that if anyone 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 their workplace occupational health services or designate. For information on self-isolation, including exceptions, visit gov.mb.ca.

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

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