One hundred and ninety-two. That's how many people, as of April 4, who have now tested positive for COVID-19 in Manitoba.
The number of positive tests has increased by 12, according to information released by provincial health officials in a daily briefing April 4. No new deaths due to the disease have been reported in the province, while 10 people are in hospital due to the disease, including six people in intensive care. Seventeen people have recovered from the disease.
Test processing at Cadham Provincial Laboratory has sped up, with 567 new tests being completed Friday. A total of 12,514 tests have been completed at Cadham since the outbreak began.
Some positive news has come from Gimli, where testing of a potential outbreak at the Betel Home senior care facility after a staff member testing positive has been completed. While some cases of repiratory illness have been reported at the home, no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported.
Manitoba chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin advised people to continue social distancing.
“Stay home whenever you can. It’s your best way to protect yourself, the people around you and the community in general, including our health care providers,” he said.
“We know these precautions can present a challenge, but also we’re aware of the significant risk this can pose to Manitoba.”
COVID-19 has meant many changes in the day-to-day lives of Manitobans, with the most recent including a precaution to avoid family dinners and gatherings.
“Now, unfortunately, is not the time for that,” Roussin said.
“If possible, you can stay connected through virtual means, but now is not the time for family gatherings. We know in other jurisdictions, there has been transmission of the virus in these settings.”
Provincial chief nursing officer Lanette Siragusa said effort to an establish universal personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers is ongoing. PPE shortages at hospitals and health care facilities have been reported across Canada, including in Manitoba.
“Changes of this nature do take time to implement, so we’ll continue to work with our supply chain to ensure orders are processed and delivered so that universal PPE is in place across all regions across the province by the week of April 13.”
Siragusa also said other changes for health care workers and first responders, including staff screening before shifts and updated guidelines for police services, emergency medical personnel and at shelters.
“This is a robust and comprehensive response," said Siragusa.
Anyone with COVID-19-related questions or anyone who may been exposed to the disease is asked to call Health Links-Info Sante at (204) 788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.
