A 12th death related to COVID-19 has been confirmed in Manitoba. Public health officials say the most recent case was a male in his 60s from the Grey health district in the Southern Health region. This is a previously announced case connected to a known cluster. The individual was hospitalized and in the intensive care unit.

Fifteen new cases of the virus have been identified as of Wednesday at 9:30 am, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 763. The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.6 per cent.

The data shows there were:
• 13 new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• one new case in Southern Health (male in his 40s); and
• one new case in the Winnipeg health region.

Preliminary investigations indicate the Prairie Mountain Health regional cases are mostly related to contacts to known cases. There are cases with unknown acquisition in the region. Case investigations are ongoing and when they are completed, additional information will be provided as needed to inform of any public health risks.

The data also shows:
• six current hospitalizations, with two individuals in intensive care;
• 223 active cases and 528 individuals have recovered from COVID-19; and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 12.

Public health officials are advising of a potential exposure to COVID-19 may have occurred on Aug. 13 and 14 (3 to 10 p.m) and Aug. 15 (3 to 7 p.m.) at the Wigwam Restaurant located at 132 Wasagaming Dr. in Wasagaming.

While the risk of transmission is considered low, information is being provided to help people assess their risk and seek testing if symptoms appear.

Manitobans are strongly encouraged to return to the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means not going out while you feel ill, practising proper hand hygiene, covering your cough and physical distancing when you are with people outside your household. If you cannot physical distance, wear a mask.

Testing numbers show an additional 1,376 laboratory tests were completed on Tuesday, bringing the total number of tests completed since early February to 118,364.

Unless recommended by Public Health, only individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should go for testing. Individuals with symptoms are asked to seek testing as soon as possible once symptoms are present.

Employers are asked to only send employees for testing if they have symptoms or if testing has been recommended by public health. The online assessment tool can be found at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/ and COVID-19 symptoms can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/about.html#collapse4.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.