A new lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 has been identified in Manitoba. This brings all positive and presumptive positive cases to 18.

The additional case was identified on March 19, says Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin, and although Public Health investigations are underway, it does appear it is travel related. 

Public Health reminds all international Travellers are asked to self-isolate for 14-days upon their return to Canada. 

Case 18 is a woman in her 50s who lives in Winnipeg. Information about flights where a person with a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 had symptoms at the time of travel is updated at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/flights.html as information becomes available.

With all positive and presumptive positive cases linked to travel, Dr. Roussin says he is not concerned about community-based transmission at this point but says now is the time to act, and we're not helpless to this virus. 

"The strategy is for all Manitobans to understand their role and the part they can take. We can protect ourselves by frequent handwashing, limit our travel, and limit going to large places. Second, we can protect our loved ones and people around us by covering a cough or sneeze, avoiding large crowds and disinfecting surfaces."

Public health orders remain in effect. They include:

limit public gatherings to less than 50 people including places of worship, family events, weddings and funerals;require retailers to ensure separation of two metres between patrons in their facility;limit hospitality premises such as restaurants or theatres to 50 people, or 50 percent of capacity (whichever is less); andthe immediate closure of bingo and gaming centres, as well as wellness centres such as gyms and fitness centres.

This does not apply to workplaces, but Dr. Roussin says they should still follow good social distancing practices as recommended by Public Health.

For those with questions symptoms but prefer the phone over a web browser, an interactive voice response (IVR) format was developed. Lanette Siragusa, Provincial Lead, Health System Integration, Quality and Chief Nursing Officer for Shared Health, says this is not a replacement to Health Links–Info Santé.

The tool asks callers standard screening questions for COVID-19. If needed, it directs those who may require a conversation with a health-care professional to Health Links–Info Santé. People who want to self-screen can call (toll-free) 1-877-308-9038.

A new community screening drive-thru site has opened in south Winnipeg at the Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Bison Drive Service Centre. MPI employees vacated the premises, located at 15 Barnes St., earlier this week to make way for the testing site. 

Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 before arriving at a testing site.