Manitoba had its most volatile day yet for COVID-19 cases, reporting an all-time high for new cases while the disease stays in southern communities.
In total, 40 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Manitoba August 14, with 25 of those cases in Prairie Mountain Health, 10 in Winnipeg and five in Southern Health-Sante Sud. Provincial health officials have linked the majority of the new Prairie Mountain Health cases to existing clusters in Brandon. The cases include a child in Winnipeg and several teens and people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s.
Since the pandemic began, 643 people in Manitoba have tested positive for COVID-19. Eight people have died from the disease.
COVID-19 remains outside the Northern Health Region - no cases have been reported in northern Manitoba since April 8.
Testing has expanded in southern Manitoba, with a total of 2,288 tests processed August 13. Provincial health officials have recommended that testing be limited only to patients showing COVID-19 symptoms. Asymptomatic people are advised to stay home and self-monitor instead of coming in for tests.
Two new potential exposures in the Brandon region have been reported by the province - one is at a Brandon-area Sobey's from August 7 and at the Minnedosa Hospital August 10, with another possible exposure in Cartwright and the community's Town and Country Golf Club August 9. People who attended these areas during these times are asked to self-monitor for symptoms for two weeks and present for testing if symptoms arise.
Twelve more Manitobans have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
Thirty new cases were found in Saskatchewan, with all but one case located in southern regions. North central Saskatchewan reported the only new case outside the south west or south central regions. Every new case found in Saskatchewan was found in what the province has called "communal living settings", the way the province has referred to Hutterite communities.
Saskatchewan currently has 174 active cases of COVID-19, 108 of which are in Hutterite communities. Ten people throughout the province are in hospital, with five in intensive care. The province has found 1,541 cases of the disease during the pandemic.
