Active COVID-19 cases have taken a slight turn up in the past few days, with two new cases of the disease reported May 11.
The province is currently tracking 35 cases of the virus in the province, with none of the 35 in the Northern Health Region.
Manitoba chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced the new cases at a May 11 provincial briefing. The cases have been attributed to the cluster of cases at a trucking company in the Prairie Mountain Health region. Ten cases have been linked directly to the one company.
Roussin said the two new cases announced today were in the Prairie Mountain Health region, but were not attributed to the cluster.
The province’s positive test rate has remained well below one per cent for the past two weeks. Roussin said previously anything under three per cent would be good.
The province has processed over 31,000 tests since the outbreak began and 374 May 10.
“Our numbers are at a good range as we pass that first week of loosening the restrictions,” Roussin said.
“I think Manitobans have to realize, and most do, that we’re not done with this virus. We could turn things around with this virus really quickly if we’re not careful.”
With a loosening of restrictions, Manitoba is stepping up the enforcement of public health orders. Some businesses have received fines for unsafe operation.
“If we feel a business is not following a public health order and they’re putting Manitobans at risk, then we’re in a position to enforce it,” Roussin said.
“We have to do what we can to protect Manitobans.”
All Manitobans with symptoms are now eligible to be tested.
“We all know the type of things that are important to do,” Roussin said.
“What’s vital to our way forward is people who are ill cannot be at work, cannot be at school, cannot be out shopping.”
Manitoba will soon no longer be providing daily news conference updates, instead moving to three days a week moving forward on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
