67 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct 8.

Today’s data shows:

- one case in the Prairie Mountain Health region;

- six cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region;

- three cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;

- 57 cases in the Winnipeg health region. 

The data also shows:

- 863 active cases and 1,454 individuals have recovered from COVID-19;

- there are 25 people in hospital and six people in intensive care;

- the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 27.

Prairie Mountain Health has implemented a location change for its designated drive-thru testing site. The new site is now located off Van Horne Avenue East. Regular hours of operation at the Van Horne location are Monday to Thursday 8:45 a.m. to 6 pm and Friday to Sunday 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. This replaces the designated site at Brandon Town Centre that ceased operation yesterday.

Public health officials are advised about additional possible exposures at the following schools:

- Seven Oaks Middle School at 800 Salter St. in Winnipeg on Sept. 28 to 30. Based on the public health investigation, there is no evidence of in-school transmission or the infection was acquired in school. Public health is reaching out to close contacts to advise of the need for self-isolation and the impacted cohort is transitioning to remote learning.

- Earl Grey School at 340 Cockburn St. N. in Winnipeg on Sept. 29 to 30 and Oct. 7. Based on the public health investigation, there is no evidence of in-school transmission or the infection was acquired in school. Public health is reaching out to close contacts to advise of the need for self-isolation and the impacted cohort is transitioning to remote learning.

The public is also being advised of possible exposures at these sites:

- Edge Lounge and Night Club, located inside the Frantz Motor Inn at 1000 Main St. in Steinbach, on Oct. 4 from 2 to 6 p.m.;

- Riding Mountain Village Canada Post Outlet in The No. 5 Store at 21 PTH 5 in Riding Mountain, on Sept. 28 to Oct. 2 and Oct. 5 and 6 from 1 to 1:30 p.m.


With Thanksgiving this weekend, public health is providing guidelines for how to enjoy fall holidays and celebrations while reducing the potential spread of COVID-19. For more information, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/prepareandprevent.html#holidays.

Due to the long weekend, the regularly scheduled Monday in-person update will move to Tuesday, Oct. 13. Bulletins will continue to be posted every day.

The chief provincial public health officer strongly encourages 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.

Unless recommended by public health officials, only individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should go for testing. Individuals with symptoms are asked to seek testing as soon as possible once symptoms are present. Employers are asked to only send employees for testing if they have symptoms or if testing has been recommended by public health officials.

The online assessment tool can be found at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/ and COVID-19 symptoms can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/about.html#collapse4