Public health officials in Manitoba have confirmed another seven cases of COVID-19 within the Southern Health region. One of the new cases is linked to the Bethesda Place personal care home outbreak in Steinbach. This brings the total to eight at that PCH. Case investigations are ongoing and when they are completed, additional information will be provided as needed to inform of any public health risks.

There are 25 new cases of the virus. As of Wednesday at 9:30 am, the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba is 1,043. The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 3.1 per cent.

Of the 25 cases, there was:
• one in Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority;
• eight in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• seven in Southern Health; and
• nine in the Winnipeg health region.

It is important to note that the trend in current five-day test positive rate is affected by positive results related to targeted testing in known clusters.

The data also shows:
• eight current hospitalizations, with one individual in intensive care;
• 408 active cases and 622 individuals have recovered from COVID-19; and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is thirteen.

Public health officials are advising of three potential exposures to COVID-19 that may have occurred. The first was on Aug. 18 and 19 at the GoodLife Fitness (1570-18th St.) in Brandon from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. on both days and the second was on Aug. 18 at the Coffee Culture Café and Eatery in Brandon (510-1st St.) from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. The third exposure was on Aug. 11 and Aug. 14 to 17 at the Foxtail Café (Hwy. 10 and Victor Ave.) in Wasagaming. Dates and times will be updated on the website when they are available at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html.

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, practicing proper hand hygiene, covering your cough and physical distancing when you are with people outside your household. If you can’t physical distance, wear a mask.

Testing numbers show an additional 1,206 laboratory tests were completed on Tuesday, bringing the total number of tests completed since early February to 129,409.

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.