Manitoba is reporting 54 new cases of COVID-19, according to the latest public health update released Sunday.

With 40 new cases, the Winnipeg Health Region once again has the majority of the daily total. Of the remaining new cases announced Sunday, five are in the Interlake-Eastern health region; two in the Prairie Mountain Health region; and seven cases in the Southern Health - Santé Sud health region.

According to public health, there are now 2,578 COVID-19 cases in Manitoba. The latest data shows 1063 active cases while 1,483 individuals have recovered. there are 24 people in hospital and four people in intensive care. The number of COVID-19 related deaths remains at 32.

Meantime, public health officials are advising of additional possible exposures at school, including:
Bird’s Hill School at 3950 Raleigh St. in East St Paul on Sept. 30, and Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. Based on the public health investigation, the risk of this exposure was assessed to be low. The infection was not believed to be acquired at school. Those identified as close contacts will contacted by public health and provided instructions for self-isolation (quarantine).

Ecole Heritage Immersion at 433 Rue Sabourin in Saint Pierre-Jolys on Sept. 29 and 30. Based on the public health investigation, the infection is not believed to be acquired at school. Those identified as close contacts will contacted by public health and provided instructions for self-isolation (quarantine).

North Memorial School at 410 - 6th Avenue N.E. in Portage la Prairie on Sept. 28, 29 and 30 and Oct. 1, 2 and 5. Based on the public health investigation, the infection is not believed to be acquired at school. Those identified as close contacts will contacted by public health and provided instructions for self-isolation (quarantine).

The public is also being advised of possible exposure at this site:
Fit For Less (gym): 1399 McPhillips Street in Winnipeg on Oct. 2 (4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.) and Oct. 3 (3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.).

Overall, 2,969 lab tests were completed Saturday, bringing the total number conducted in Manitoba since February to 208,703. The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 3.1 per cent.

Testing for COVID-19 is available on Thanksgiving Monday at community testing sites in Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk, Eriksdale, Powerview-Pine Falls, Winkler, Steinbach, and Portage la Prairie.

With Thanksgiving this weekend, public health officials are reminding Manitobans that residents of personal care homes are very vulnerable to COVID-19. Any visits over the Thanksgiving weekend should be planned with caution. Click here for guidelines for how to enjoy fall holidays and celebrations while reducing the potential spread of COVID-19.

As well, chief provincial public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, is strongly encouraging Manitobans to reduce the number of close contacts outside their household, and avoid closed-in or crowded spaces.

In addition, they should focus on these fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19:
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Wash/sanitize your hands and cover your cough.
- Physically distance when you are with people outside your household.

If you cannot physically distance, wear a mask to help reduce the risk to others or as required by public health orders.