Wednesday, August 26^th, 2020

IRTC UPDATE:

Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 3.1 per cent. Twenty-five new cases of the virus have been identified today as of 9:30 a.m. This brings the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 1,043.

The data shows that there were:

• 1 new case in Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority
• 8 new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• 7 new case in Southern Health region
• 9 new case in the Winnipeg Health region The data also shows:
• 408 active cases & 622 individuals have recovered from COVID-19
• Currently there are 8 individuals hospitalized with 1 in ICU
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 13

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.

One of the new cases identified in Southern Health-Santé Sud is linked to the Bethesda Place personal care home outbreak. This brings the total to eight. Case investigations are ongoing and when they are completed, additional information will be provided as needed to inform of any public health risks.

Public health officials are advising of potential exposures to COVID-19 that may have occurred. The first was on Aug. 18 and 19 at the GoodLife Fitness (1570 18^th 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 (510-1^st St.) from 2:00 to 3:00 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.

The Chart below shows the active, recovered and deaths to date related to COVID-19 in Manitoba by their region. (Updated: August 26^th, 2020)

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
Flu-Myths and Facts:

MYTH: Last time I got the flu vaccine, it made me sick.

FACT: Some people may get flu-like symptoms for a few days after the vaccine and think that they are getting the flu, but that is your body building up the antibodies to learn how to fight the virus in the event you are infected. Some people experience varying levels of these symptoms, or none at all. Every person is different. If you did get sick after the vaccine, it is most likely you were incubating the illness before the vaccine could take effect. Or, it was a different kind of respiratory illness caused by another virus or bacteria, and not the influenza virus.

MYTH: I never get sick, so I don’t need to get vaccinated.

FACT: You can be infected with the flu and spread it, even if you are not showing symptoms. Getting the vaccine means you can also help protect others from getting sick, especially those who have medical conditions or infants too young to get immunized who are more likely to have complications from getting the flu.

IRTC in-office essential services schedule:
All IRTC Staff are available continuously via cellphone and email