For the sixth consecutive day, Manitoba has announced no new cases of COVID-19. The province is tracking seven active cases as of June 11.
Over 50,000 Manitobans have received a COVID-19 test since the pandemic began. Testing in northern Manitoba received a boost June 11. Provincial and federal governments have partnered to bring four GeneXpert testing machines to the north, one each in The Pas, Thompson, Peguis and Norway House.
Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said GeneXpert testing can give results after an hour, making them especially valuable for northern testing.
“Most individuals, if they're symptomatic, we can test them, make them self-isolate, pending results,” he said.
“In places where there might be a remote factor, or self isolation within the community is quite difficult, there might be significant benefits to getting a test result back [quickly]... Right now, the focus for these types of testing devices are in response to outbreaks in remote isolated communities.”
Earlier June 11, the province released their proposed third phase of reopening, including a slight loosening of northern travel restrictions.
Certain out-of-province travellers could be allowed to directly go to campgrounds and lodges above the 53rd parallel. General, non-essential travel from below the 53rd parallel into the north is still banned through a public health order in most circumstances. While northerners can travel south and back and have during the entire restriction period, officials are advising against any travel from the north to below the parallel.
“[A change in travel recommendations] doesn't have to be tied to a phase,” Roussin said.
“We could look at this to further loosen or to remove those travel restrictions to the north.”
The northern changes would be part of a broader change in how Manitoba will deal with travellers from western Canada and northern Ontario. Residents from those jurisdictions would be allowed to travel to Manitoba without self-isolating for 14 days. Roussin said there were not any extra plans to communicate the travel restrictions to out-of-province travellers.
“We will be posting our public health orders as per usual,” he said.
“It wouldn't be up to us to necessarily be marketing. We would do our typical social media presence and the change of our orders and guides for marketing to others.”
Roussin said the establishment of GeneXpert testing sites isn’t a consideration for loosening up northern travel restrictions and recommendations.
“The northern travel restriction is going to be placed more just on a prolonged reduced transmission of virus here,” Roussin said.
“It’s about protecting some of the communities most susceptible to severe outbreaks.”
Northern Manitoba has reported three total cases of COVID-19. No cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the region since April 8.
The province is asking for feedback on their phase three plan. The complete plan with a survey can be found at engagemb.ca.
