August 19, 2020 IRTC UPDATE:

Public health officials advise a twelfth death related to COVID-19 has been reported, a male in his 60s from the Southern Health region. This is a previously announced case connected to a known cluster.

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

• The data shows that there were:
  • 13 new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
  • one new case in Southern Health region
  • one new case in the Winnipeg region

Preliminary investigations indicate that 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, 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
  • the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is twelve

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

The dashboard and graphs are updated daily at 1pm.

• RHA’s with 223 Active Cases (Update: August 19, 2020)

IRTC in-office essential services schedule:

All IRTC Staff are available continuously via cellphone and email.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ ~

NEW! Provincial Pandemic Response Levels

There are four risk levels and accompanying restrictions that can be applied across the province, in a region or community, across a sector or even at a specific site. Regional restrictions may not correspond to the boundaries of existing health regions, and restrictions can be scaled up or down.

The Four Response Levels:

Manitoba’s Pandemic Response System provides detailed, easy-to-understand direction to residents and businesses about COVID-19 for the province, region, sector or facility based on these levels.

• Red: Critical – Community spread of COVID-19 is not contained and/or there are significant strains on our health care system.
• Orange: Restricted – Community transmission of COVID-19 is occurring.
• Yellow: Caution – Community transmission of COVID-19 is at low levels.
• Green: Limited Risk – The spread of COVID-19 is broadly contained and a vaccine and/or effective treatment for COVID-19 is available.

Setting the Response Level:

Public health officials monitor key indicators and use the information gathered to guide their recommendations in setting each risk level and responses, including:

• Test positivity levels
• Case number growth rates
• Number of days since positive cases are linked to further transmission
• Contact tracing and the degree to which cases are contained in clusters
• Health system capacity to deal with cases requiring hospitalization or intensive care

To learn more: https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/index.html

 NEW! Tribal Education Director Update:

 Masks will be mandatory in Manitoba schools for students from grades 4 to 12 when they can’t physically distance, Premier Brian Pallister announced Wednesday. This includes staff/teachers/students.

 Restoring Safe Schools: August 13 – School Settings Practice Guidance and Protocols. Please see the link below: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/rss-practice-guidance.html