For the first time during the COVID-19 outbreak, Manitoba has more people recovered from the disease than detected active cases.
Manitoba chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said Manitobans should be "cautiously optimistic" during the province's April 17 media briefing, but added risk of the disease was still high. There were no new cases reported April 17, despite more than 500 tests processed since the last update.
“We were never helpless against this virus,” Roussin said.
“We put measures into place and all Manitobans stepped up to help limit the spread of this virus… It is too soon to let up on our efforts to interrupt the spread of this virus.”
Roussin introduced two new health orders April 16. All those who travel outside the province are required to self-isolate for two weeks after returning. The rule does not apply to people from border communities who rely on some Manitoba services, including Creighton and Denare Beach.
The other order effectively banned all non-essential travel to northern Manitoba (defined as portions of the province north of the 53rd parallel) as of Friday. Both orders are in effect until at least May 1.
The Reminder has reached out to Shared Health Manitoba for more details about the restrictions, including what enforcement of these orders will look like and how the restrictions would apply to different communities, but have yet to hear a response as of 2 p.m. April 17.
Only three cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the Northern Health Region.
“We need to protect those at increased risk of infection. That was a major driver behind the orders yesterday to limit non-essential travel to the north,” Roussin said.
Roussin said the Manitoba government may plan to ease some restrictions as the weeks go by. B.C., one of the first provinces hit by COVID-19, announced April 17 they were preparing to ease some of their restrictions.
Roussin said cottagers in general should not go to their cabin, but gave some tips for essential travel.
“If you do go, go directly, don’t stop off, not do shopping in little towns, not use health care services in smaller areas unless absolutely necessary, maintain physical distancing, wash hands at all times,” he said.
“Don’t leave any trace of your visit.”
Roussin said because Manitoba is still early in the outbreak without a lot of data, releasing a provincial projection model to the public would not take place yet. Other jurisdictions, including Saskatchewan, have already issued projections for different COVID-19 scenarios.
