Monday, August 24^th, 2020

IRTC UPDATE:

Public health officials advise that the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.9 per cent. Forty-nine 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 993.

The data shows that there were:

• 35 new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• 2 new cases in the Interlake Eastern Health region
• 4 new case in Southern Health region
• 8 new case in the Winnipeg region

The data also shows:

• 395 active cases & 586 individuals have recovered from COVID-19
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 12
• Currently there are 6 individuals hospitalized with 1 in ICU

Public health officials are advising potential exposure to COVID-19 may have occurred at the Safeway Corral Centre (921 18th St. North) in Brandon on Aug. 15 (2:00 to 6:00 p.m.), Aug. 18 (11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Aug. 19 (2:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.). While the risk of transmission is considered low, information is being provided to help people assess their risk and seek testing if symptoms appear.

Prairie Mountain Health region has been elevated to the restricted level (orange) according to the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Starting today, masks will be mandatory in all public indoor places and at all indoor and outdoor public gatherings in the region. Public gatherings will also be restricted to 10 people, both indoors and outdoors.

The dashboard and graphs are updated daily at 1 p.m.

The Chart below shows the active, recovered and deaths to date related to COVID-19 in Manitoba by their region. (Updated: August 24^th, 2020)

 A new community COVID-19 testing site will open at 2735 Pembina Hwy. in Winnipeg on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The site will be open to the public on a walk-in basis, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days per week. Access Fort Garry (135 Plaza Dr.) will no longer be offering COVID-19 testing once the new site opens. Their last day of public testing will be Monday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Portage la Prairie Drive-Thru Community Testing Site (245 Royal Rd) is moving to a new location. The site will be closed on Aug. 26 and will re-open at Portage Ave. and 5th St. SE on Aug. 27. Hours of operation will be Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. by appointment only. To book, call 204-428- 3471.

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

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

Tribal Nursing Officer Update:

Guidance for influenza vaccine delivery in the presence of COVID-19 Encouraging all Manitobans to get their free seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine this upcoming fall is crucial not only for the control of seasonal influenza but is of the utmost importance as we prepare for potential co-circulation of COVID-19 in Manitoba.Tribal Nursing Officer Update:

In the delivery of seasonal influenza vaccine for fall 2020, COVID-19 activity may continue to add stress to public health capacity and have an impact on clinic operations and attendance. Guidance for the delivery of seasonal flu vaccine has been provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in consultation with the Canadian Immunization Committee and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/docs/hcp/2020/052720.pdf

IRTC in-office essential services schedule:

All IRTC Staff are available continuously via cellphone and email