Treaty 2 Territory – March 26, 2020, Manitoba has announced 35 confirmed and probable cases and one woman has been admitted to hospital in critical condition. Of those cases 14 are confirmed and the rest are probable. Manitoba Health has been working very hard to ensure up to date information for all Manitobans during this time. There are no cases of COVID-19 on any of our Nations. Please see the following information:
Case information includes:
- Case 23 is a woman in her 30’s who lives in Winnipeg,
- Case 24 is a girl under the age of 10 who lives in Winnipeg,
- Case 25 is a woman in her 40’s who lives in Winnipeg,
- Case 26 is a man in is 30’s who lives in Winnipeg,
- Case 27 is a woman in her 60’s who lives in Winnipeg,
- Case 28 is a woman in her 60’s who lives in Winnipeg and receiving treatment in intensive care in hospital,
- Case 30 is a woman in her 30’s who live in a community in the area of Southern Health Santé Sud health region,
- Case 31 is a woman in her 40’s who lives in Winnipeg,
- Case 32 is a man in his 60’s who lives in Winnipeg,
- Case 33 is a woman in her 60’s who lives in Winnipeg
- Case 34 is a woman in her 50’s who lives in Winnipeg,
- Case 35 is a woman in her 20’s who lives in Winnipeg,
- Case 36 is an individual who was tested in the Prairie Mountain Health region
Most cases have appeared to be travel related. We are encouraging that now is not the time to travel and we must stay home to protect our children, elders, family and community members.
What is COVID-19:
COVID-19 is also known as Novel Coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). Some cause illness in people, while others circulate among animals. Some coronaviruses transmit easily from person to person while others do not. Novel simply means that this is a new virus that has not been previously identified. The new virus was named “novel coronavirus 2018 (COVID-19) by the scientists who discovered it.
Signs and Symptoms for Coronavirus:
- Dry Cough
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Loss of smell
Methods recommended to protect you and your family are as follows:
- Hygiene
- Wash hands before eating, after coughing or sneezing, after using the bathroom and wash before and after handling or preparing food
- Use proper protocol while washing your hands (many states to recite A, B, C’s) and use soap
- If soap and water are not available, please use hand sanitizer with children and ensure they do not stick their fingers into their mouths as it may be harmful
- Please practise proper cough etiquette and use a tissue or cough / sneeze into your arm
- Immunizations
Make sure you and your family are up to date your immunizations and this includes flu shots. If you have any concerns, please contact your local health care center.
- Social Distancing
Manitoba Health Website has been highly encouraging social distancing and recommends the following procedures:
- Minimizing prolonged contact between individuals in the general public and recommend keeping a distance of 2 meters / 6 feet apart and limiting visits to 5-10 minutes
- Avoid handshakes
- Encourage self-monitoring if you have travelled or have been exposed to someone ill who has travelled most recently, and
- Avoid travelling, crowded places and events, especially for those who are high at risk (elders and children with underlying medical conditions)
4. Self-Isolation Encouraged
The goal of self-isolation is to limit further transmission of COVID-19. At this time, we have encouraged our community members to practise self-isolation in our own homes and limit outside travel from our community. We understand we must stock up on food and groceries and would like to state if you need to restock please travel by yourself and take all necessary precautions when arriving back from your trip to ensure your family is kept safe. When venturing out of the community we recommend practising the following upon returning home:
- Wash your hands
- Change your clothes
5. Testing Procedures for COVID-19
Health Links has been put in charge of screening Manitobans to see if testing is needed. Members are encouraged to contact health links directly and inform them of your symptoms and they will decide if you require further testing, they will provide a location closest to you to visit. Please remember testing is ONLY for those who meet the criteria.
- HEALTH LINKS PHONE NUMBER: 1-888-315-9257
You are encouraged to contact Health Links prior to visiting your local hospital if you are concerned about your wellbeing.
- Take Precautions
Ask for a mask and clean your hands if you have a cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever when you enter any public or health care facility to help cover your symptoms. This is highly encouraged so that the frontline health care professionals remain healthy and there may be vulnerable people in the waiting area with you. Please take all steps to protect those around you as well.
- Stay Informed
There are many great resources available online where we can keep ourselves up to date.
Local Radio Stations (many of our communities have)
Facebook (many of our communities have a local Facebook page)
Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority: wellness@ierha.ca
Manitoba Health: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/coronavirus/index.html
Canada Wide Updates: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel:coronavirus-infection.html
MANITOBA TIMELINE ON COVID-19
MARCH 12
- Manitoba health officials confirm the first presumptive case of COVID-19 in the province. The case is a woman in her 40s who lives in the WRHA area. The province says she was exposed to the virus through travel to the Philippines.
- Later in the day, the province announces two additional presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba: two men in their 30s who live in WRHA area. Health authorities say the men were exposed to COVID-19 through travel.
MARCH 13
- A fourth person tests positive for COVID-19 in Manitoba. The province says it is a man in his 40s who lives in Winnipeg, who was exposed to the virus through travel to South Korea, the Philippines and Japan.
- Province says one of the four COVID-19 cases has been lab-confirmed, and the other three are presumptive positive.
- Manitoba’s education minister announces that all kindergarten to Grade 12 classes will be suspended for three weeks, beginning March 23.
MARCH 14
- All four cases are lab-confirmed.
MARCH 15
- Three more presumptive positive cases are identified, bringing the total number of cases to seven.
- Case five is a man in his 70s who lives in Winnipeg and was exposed to the virus through travel; case six is a woman in her 70s, who lives in the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority area, and was exposed through travel; and case seven is a woman in her 50s from Winnipeg, exposed to the virus through travel.
MARCH 16
- The first seven cases are lab-confirmed.
- The province announces another presumptive positive case, bringing the total of cases in the province to eight. Health officials say this case is a man in his 80s who lives in Winnipeg.
MARCH 17
- Health officials announce seven additional presumptive positive cases in Manitoba, bringing the total to 15.
- Case nine is a man in his 60s from a community in the Southern Health region; case 10 is a woman in her 60s from a community in the Southern Health region; case 11 is a woman in her 60s from Winnipeg; case 12 is a woman in her 50s from Winnipeg, case 13 is a woman in her 40s from Winnipeg; case 14 is a man in his 30s from Winnipeg; and case 15 is a woman in her 50s from Winnipeg.
- Premier Brian Pallister announces that starting at the end of the day on March 20, all licensed childcare centres will be suspended.
MARCH 18
- The province says six of the seven cases announced on March 17 are related to travel, and information is pending about the seventh case.
- Two more presumptive positive cases are identified in Manitoba, bring the total to 17.
- Case 16 is a woman in her 50s who lives in Winnipeg and case 17 is a man in his 70s who lives in Winnipeg. Both of these cases are related to travel.
MARCH 20
- Premier Brian Pallister announces a state of emergency, effective for 30 days.
- The province announces surgery programs across the province will be suspending elective surgeries
MARCH 21
- An additional case is identified in the province bringing the total to 18.
- Case 18 is a woman in her 50s who lives in Winnipeg. She was exposed to COVID-19 through travel.
- Later in the day the province announces another probable case of COVID-19.
- Case 19 is a woman in her 30s who lives in Winnipeg and was exposed due to travel.
MARCH 22
- Manitoba health officials announce an additional probable case of COVID-19 in the province, bringing the total to 20.
- Case 20 is a man in his 40s who lives in Winnipeg and was exposed to COVID-19 through travel.
MARCH 23
- The province announces another probable case, but says another case initially identified as probable has been ruled out. Therefore, the total number of cases stays at 20.
- The latest case is a man in his 50s who lives in Winnipeg. Health officials say it is related to travel.
- The premier announces a new online tool to help connect volunteers with those in need.
MARCH 24
- An additional case is identified in Manitoba, bringing the total to 21.
- The newest case is a man is his 40s who lives in Winnipeg.
- The province announces that non-essential and diagnostic testing will be postponed and suspends rent increases as well as postpones all hearings for non-urgent matters to avoid evictions.
MARCH 25
- Provincial Health Officials announce 14 new probable positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the province to 35.
- All of the new cases are believed to be related to travel.
- Of the 14 new cases, 11 are in Winnipeg. Two new cases were in the Southern Health region, with the remaining case in the Prairie Mountain region.
- First case in child announced. Girl underage of 10 in Winnipeg listed as probable positive
March 26
- No new cases in Manitoba. COVID-19 cases in Manitoba remain at 35 cases.
Please contact Health Links at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Stay Safe & Miigwetch!
Last modified: March 26, 2020
