Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.2 per cent and 15 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today.

However, a case was removed as it was determined to be from out of province and a second case was removed due to duplication. This brings the total net new cases today to 13 and number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 1,378.

The data shows:
-two cases in Interlake Eastern Health region;
-two cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
-two case in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
-nine cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:

-360 active cases and 1,002 individuals have recovered from COVID-19;
-there are 11 people in hospital and three people in intensive care; and
-the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 16.

Preliminary investigations indicate that several of today’s cases are close contacts of known cases. Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.

Confirmed laboratory testing numbers show 1,173 tests were completed on Wednesday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 150,350.

Wearing a non-medical mask became mandatory for children aged nine and older attending child-care facilities, including home-based child care, as of Sept. 8. Child-care providers are also required to wear masks. More information and guidance for the early learning and child-care sector is available at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/covid-circulars.html

Public health officials are advising of two potential exposure to COVID-19 may have occurred:

-Sept. 1 to 3 at Lilac Resort (Trans-Canada Highway, Ste. Anne); and
-Sept. 5, Air Canada flight AC 295 departing from Winnipeg to Vancouver (rows 19 to 25).

The risk is low and times of exposures are listed at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event

Individuals in the affected seats on these flights are advised to self-isolate for 14 days following the flight and monitor for symptoms. Passengers on these flights, but not in the affected seats, should self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate if they develop.

The Keystone Centre Specimen Collection Site in Brandon will close permanently after Sept. 12. Those seeking testing are advised to visit the Brandon Town Centre site. For all testing site locations visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/testing.html

As students, teachers and staff return to school this week, public health officials strongly encourage all Manitobans to return to the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means staying home if you are sick, washing/sanitizing your hands, covering your cough and physically distancing when you are with people outside your household. If you cannot physically distance, wear a mask.

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. Employers are asked to only send employees for testing if they have symptoms or if testing has been recommended by public health officials.

The online assessment tool can be found at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/ and COVID-19 symptoms can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/about.html#collapse4

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