Public health officials are advising of 40 new cases of COVID-19 and two additional deaths Friday in Southern Health - Sante Sud.

Overall, the province registered 14 additional deaths and 447 new cases of the virus as of 9:30 a.m. However, two cases were removed due to a data correction bringing the new total to 445. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba is 20,392.

The latest public health data shows the additional deaths include:
- A Male in his 50’s from the Winnipeg health region.
- A Male in his 50’s from the Winnipeg health region;
- A Male in his 70’s from the Interlake-Eastern health region;
- A Female in her 70’s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to outbreak at the Health Science Centre GD4;
- A Female in her 80’s from the Winnipeg health region.
- A Female in her 80’s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Holy Family Personal Care Home;
- A Female in her 80’s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Holy Family Personal Care Home;
- A Male in his 80’s from the Winnipeg health region;
- A Female in her 80’s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Charleswood Care Centre;
- A Female in her 90’s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre;
- A Female in her 90’s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home;
- A Male in his 90’s from the Southern Health - Sante Sud health region and linked to the outbreak at Rest Haven Nursing Home;
- A Male in his 90’s from the Winnipeg health region; and
- A Female in her 100’s from the Southern Health - Sante Sud health region and linked to the outbreak at Villa Youville Personal Care Home.

As for new daily reported cases, statistics show:
- 43 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region;
- 136 cases in the Northern health region;
- 35 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
- 40 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region; and
- 193 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.8 per cent provincially and 13.2 per cent in Winnipeg.

Public health officials advise COVID-19 outbreaks has been declared at the Hamiota Health Centre acute care unit in Hamiota and Seven Oaks General Hospital 3U4-7. The sites have been moved to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

It's important to note, as per the public health definition, when a single case of COVID-19 is identified at a personal care home or health care facility (whether it be resident, patient, staff or visitor) the site is moved to Critical (Red), and listed as having an Outbreak.

Public health is advising that starting Jan. 4, 2021, Hanover School Division will move to the Restricted level (orange) joining other school divisions across the province. Between Jan 4 and 15 students in Grades K to 6 may return to in-class instruction or choose remote learning; and, students in Grades 7 to 12 will be in remote learning. Hanover School Division remains at the Critical level (red) until the holiday break.

Meantime, the latest public health statistics show 5,517 active cases in Manitoba and 14,410 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. As well, there are 297 people in hospital with 40 people in intensive care due to COVID-19; and
the total number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 465.

Laboratory testing numbers show 2,723 tests were completed Thursday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 383,404. Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

The chief provincial public health officer urges Manitobans to only leave their homes for essential purposes. When leaving the house to obtain essentials, be sure to physically distance, wear a mask in indoor public places and avoid crowded spaces. Do not leave the home if you are sick, or when any member of your family is sick. Further, do not socialize with anyone from outside your household.

Public health officials are also advising that anyone who is symptomatic, or has a household member who is symptomatic, the entire household needs to self-isolate pending COVID-19 test results. For health-care workers, exceptions may apply and staff may be able/required to report to work. Contact your workplace Occupational Health Services or designate. For information on self-isolation, including exceptions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/fundamentals/self-isolation.html.