Manitoba shows some of the best progress in Canada in flattening the curve for COVID-19 infections and while the struggle to contain the virus’s effect continues, the need for life-saving, urgent surgeries also continues to put pressure on the health system.
On Monday, April 20, Premier Brian Pallister along with Chief Public Health Officer Brent Roussin announced there will be an increase of oncology surgeries at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
As cancer surgeries and such urgencies pile up, officials told a press conference that “HSC has to open up the gates a little bit to get the surgeries going.”
However, non-urgent surgeries, clinical assessments as well as other health services will continue to be postponed in the short-term.
The State of Emergency will continue in Manitoba for one more month – May 20th.
Public Health Orders continue to limit the size of gatherings to 10, close restaurant seating and non-critical businesses, require people entering Manitoba to self-isolate for 14 days and restrict travel to northern Manitoba (north of the 53rd parallel of latitude) and will continue at least until May 1. (www.manitoba.ca/covid19.)
COVID-19 facts for Monday April 20
Public health officials advise one new case of COVID-19 was identified as of 9:30 a.m. today, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive/probable positive cases in Manitoba to 254. In addition, a sixth death has been reported, a woman in her 80s. No other patient-specific information is available at this time.
Data shows:
- 8 individuals are currently hospitalized, which includes 5 in intensive care;
- 105 active cases; 144 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; and
- the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is now 6
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory performed 260 tests on Sunday.
- 20,012 tests have been performed since early February.
Expand testingis to focus on symptomatic people from the following categories:
• travellers returning to Manitoba;
• close contact with a confirmed case;
• lab workers who have worked with COVID-19 tests;
• health-care workers;
• people who live/work in the north, isolated or group settings, correctional facilities, shelters, long-term care or residential facilities or remote work camps;
• first responders;
• workers or volunteers at workplaces that have been identified as essential services; and
• any symptomatic person living with a health-care worker, first responder or worker in a congregate setting (i.e. correctional facility, shelter, long-term care or residential facility).
Anyone who thinks they might meet the criteria for testing should call Health Links–Info Santé or work through the online screening tool to determine if they should be tested.
