Two men from Southern Health-Santé Sud are among three COVID-19 deaths announced Monday, with the third a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region linked to the outbreak at Victoria General Hospital. One man was in his 70s, and the other was in his 90s. According to data released by Public Health, the Southern Health deaths were from the Steinbach health District. There have now been 109 deaths province-wide due to COVID-19.

365 new cases of the virus were identified as of this morning, with 91 of those in Southern Health, 233 in Winnipeg, and 9 in Prairie Mountain.

Today’s data shows:
• 16 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• 16 cases in the Northern health region;
• nine cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 91 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 233 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:
• 5,152 active cases and 3,234 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• there are 192 people in hospital with 28 people in intensive care; and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 109.

Laboratory testing numbers show 3,143 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 288,568.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 9.5 per cent provincially, and 9.3 per cent in Winnipeg.

Public health officials advise that in order to maintain the capacity for testing symptomatic people, testing appointments for people who are asymptomatic will not be booked unless directed by public health. At this time, individuals who are not experiencing symptoms may be turned away from testing sites. Employers are asked to only send employees for testing if they have symptoms or if testing has been recommended by public health officials.

Public health officials have advised that outbreaks have been declared at Bethania Mennonite personal care home in Winnipeg, Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, St. Amant Health and Transition Services in Winnipeg and Extendicare Tuxedo Villa personal care home in Winnipeg. The sites have been moved to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Officials advise the COIVD-19 outbreak on the B5 unit at St. Boniface Hospital has been declared over. The unit will return to regular operations.