Public health officials advise that the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.9 percent. Forty-nine new cases of the virus have been identified, with 25 cases announced today as of 9:30 a.m. and 24 cases connected to Sunday, Aug. 23. This brings the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 993.

Of the 49 cases, there were:

-35 in the Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region;

-two in the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority;

-four in Southern Health-Santé Sud; and

-eight in the Winnipeg health region.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the majority of today’s PMH region cases are linked to intentional testing related to known clusters in communal living communities. Case investigations are ongoing and when they are completed, additional information will be provided as needed to inform of any public health risks.

The data also shows:

-six current hospitalizations, with one individual in intensive care;

-395 active cases and 586 individuals have recovered from COVID-19; and

-the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is twelve.

Testing numbers show an additional 1,544 laboratory tests were completed on Sunday, bringing the total number of tests completed since early February to 127,149.

Prairie Mountain Health region has been elevated to the restricted level (orange) according to the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. Starting today, masks will be mandatory in all public indoor places and at all indoor and outdoor public gatherings in the region. Public gatherings will also be restricted to 10 people, both indoors and outdoors.

People who do not have to wear masks include:

-a child who is under five years of age;

-a person with a medical condition that is unrelated to COVID-19, including breathing or cognitive difficulties or a disability, which prevents them from safely wearing a mask; and

-a person who is unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person.

Public gathering sizes, both indoors and outdoors, are limited to 10 people. This includes weddings, funerals, banquets, receptions and professional sporting activities. More than ten members of the public may attend a business or facility that is allowed to open under these orders, if public distancing measures are in place to allow people to maintain a distance of at least two metres.

A person who enters or remains in an indoor public place, including a business, retail or restaurant establishment, must wear a mask in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin without gapping. For a list of indoor public spaces and additional details, including the exemptions related to the public health orders, visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/protection/soe.html#current

Public health officials continue to monitor all regions with increased cases closely to determine if additional restrictions are necessary.