Southern-Health Sante-Sud registered four additional COVID-19 related deaths Wednesday.

These latest figures, according to public health, include a man in his 80s from the Winkler District.

In total, Manitoba registered nine additional deaths Wednesday;
• a male in his 40s from the Winnipeg health region;
• a female in her 50s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region;
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region;
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home;
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region;
• a male in his 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region;
• a male in his 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region and linked to the outbreak at the Buhler Active Living Centre;
• a female in her 90s from Southern Health–Santé Sud health region and linked to the outbreak at the Rest Haven Nursing Home; and
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.

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.

In addition, public health reports 349 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 14,907. The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 14 per cent provincially and 14 per cent in Winnipeg.

Today’s data shows:
• 22 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• 30 cases in the Northern health region;
• 11 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 73 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 213 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

According to public health data, there are 8,758 active cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba and 5,893 individuals who have recovered. As well, 303 people are in hospital with 50 people in intensive care. The number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 256. Due to a data error, one death that had been reported earlier has been removed

Laboratory testing numbers show 2,614 tests were completed Tuesday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 340,151. Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.

Today, the testing location in Selkirk is moving to the old hospital site at 100 Easton Dr. The site will provide walk-in services, and will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Appointments can be made by phone or online.

Public health officials have advised that an outbreak has been declared at the Woodhaven Manor in Steinbach and Lions Manor in Winnipeg. The sites have been moved to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

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 information on self-isolation, visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/fundamentals/self-isolation.html.

The online assessment tool can be found at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/ and COVID-19 symptoms can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/fundamentals/symptoms.html.

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

For up-to-date information on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit:
https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/index.html.