For the fourth consecutive day, health officials announced they had not detected any additional cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba.
With potential virus carriers now allowed to refer themselves to testing facilities, the province saw more than 800 people tested in the 24 hours before Manitoba's May 15 update - double the average number of tests for the rest of the week.
Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin stressed the need for any sick person to stay home, especially with the long weekend approaching.
“As we move closer to phase two of our reopening plan, people need to be aware that you can’t be showing up to work when you’re ill, even with mild symptoms,” he said.
“You can’t be showing up to school, out shopping or meeting other people if you’re ill. We need people who are ill to stay home, and seek out health care if they need it.”
First Nations health groups have released some of their data about how many people self-identifying as First Nations have caught the virus. Inside Winnipeg, 14 First Nations people have tested positive - outside Winnipeg, only two have.
“Those numbers don’t really surprise me, but it’s a great partnership,” Roussin said.
“That information sharing agreement is a great step.”
Roussin praised the work of Indigenous community leaders. Manitoba has detected no cases of COVID-19 from any Indigenous community or reserve so far.
“Our First Nations partners showed terrific leadership,” he said.
“Many measures were put in place to protect people in those communities. [No cases] isn’t a surprise - it was the goal we were after, and we’re not out of things yet.”
While other restrictions have started to loosen, travel restrictions for northern Manitoba, disallowing travel from the south part of the province above the 53rd parallel, are still in place. Roussin said Manitobans should still be cautious, even if behaviours aren’t explicitly banned. He added while travel south is technically allowed, he strongly recommends against it.
“A lot of these things are balances,” Roussin said.
“We didn’t want to limit people’s ability to go home. We certainly advise against non-essential travel and that advice applies to people who live in the north. Our advice is to stay near your home community.”
Flin Flon's testing site at the R.H. Channing Auditorium is open for self-referrals. Only those with symptoms can get tested. The test site typically operates from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., but will be closed for Victoria Day.
