Through retroactive screening of COVID-19 test samples from February, cases of B.1351 varian coronavirus has been identified. However, no greater risk is being noted by health officials.
Test positivity remains around three per cent and new cases are at 62. No new cases were found in Prairie Mountain Health region.
The death of one woman in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region has been reported today, related to COVID-19.
Today, five additional confirmed cases because of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant (first identified in the United Kingdom) and eight confirmed cases of the B.1.351 COVID-19 variant (first identified in South Africa) have been detected. They are all from the Winnipeg health region, with the majority being either travel or close contact related.
Officials note most of the B.1.351 variant cases announced today were found through the retroactive screening of samples from February. At this time, there is no evidence of widespread community transmission of either variant of concern.
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• four cases in Interlake–Eastern health region;
• 36 cases in the Northern health region;
• zero cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• seven cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 19 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
The data also shows:
• 1,153 active cases and 30,290 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 55 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 108 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 163 hospitalizations;
• 10 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 12 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 22 ICU patients;
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 907. Due to a data correction, one death that had been reported earlier has been removed; and
• the total number of confirmed variant of concern cases of B.1.1.7 is 11 and B.1.351 is 11, bringing the total number of confirmed variant of concern cases to 22.
Laboratory testing numbers show 1,235 tests were completed yesterday.
Additional data related to COVID-19, including data on outbreaks as well as some downloadable and historic data, can be found at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.
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 www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.
The outbreak has been declared over at Riverview Health Centre.
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 be tested, visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/fundamentals/symptoms.html.
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.
