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

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 4.8 per cent provincially and 3.5 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 50 new cases of the virus have been identified and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 32,793.

Additionally, public health officials are announcing 18 confirmed cases of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant of concern have been detected. One case is from the Interlake–Eastern health region and 17 are from the Winnipeg health region. Case investigations continue and public health will advise if there is a risk to the public. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• zero cases in Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 16 cases in the Northern health region;  
• zero cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• three cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 31 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:
• 908 active cases and 30,968 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; 
• 56 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 95 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 151 hospitalizations; 
• 11 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 23 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 30 and B.1.351 is 11, bringing the total number of confirmed variant of concern cases to 41. 

Laboratory testing numbers show 1,516 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 551,209. 

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/.

Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call 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 www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/locations.html.

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. 
 
Outbreaks have been declared over at Poseidon Care Centre in Winnipeg, the Heritage Life Personal Care Home in Niverville and Valleyview Care Centre Long Term Care Home in Brandon.

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. 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 www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/fundamentals/self-isolation.html.  
 
The online COVID-19 self-assessment tool can be found at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/ and COVID-19 symptoms can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/fundamentals/symptoms.html.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.
 
For up-to-date information on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit:
https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/index.html.