Public health officials are emphasizing the "fundamentals" as they share that a new case of COVID-19 has been identified in a Steinbach care home.

Dr. Brent Roussin is recommending "wearing a mask in circumstances where you can't physically distance."

While he is recommending masks, he says it "does not replace fundamentals" such as physical distancing and hand washing. 

On Monday morning, the five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.78 per cent. 

Of the 38 new cases, five come from Winnipeg, 20 are in the Prairie Mountain Health region, 12 in Southern Health–Santé Sud, and one in the Interlake-Eastern Health region.

Manitoba's Chief Provincial Public Health Officer announced Monday that one of the new cases announced is from Bethesda Place in Steinbach.

No further details are being released at this time. 

In a post on social media, Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen says the following: "As part of today's announcement of 38 new COVID cases, one was announced as from Bethesda Place PCH in Steinbach. Investigations are continuing. I understand that families with loved ones in the facility have been notified, I understand that staff responded quickly and appropriately when the individual was seen as symptomatic."

Since the province started announcing cases by districts, there have been 25 reported in Niverville/Ritchot. Roussin says that these cases are part of one close cluster.

He adds that there is evidence of community transmission in Brandon and Winnipeg.

Four previously-announced cases have been removed from the total number of cases, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba to 731.

There are currently 232 active cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba, with 490 recoveries.

Roussin says the hospitalization rate of COVID-19 in Manitoba is currently low, with 11 in hospital and three of those in the hospital in intensive care.

The current number of COVID-19 related deaths remains at nine.

Public health officials add that there was potential exposure to COVID-19 on August 5 - 7 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 7-11 at 3360 Victoria St. in Brandon. They add that risk of transmission is low.