Manitoba Public Health is confirming 475 new COVID-19 cases as of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, bringing the total lab-confirmed cases in the province to 12,482. Eight additional deaths, including two in Southern Health, were also announced in today's update.

According to the latest data, 124 of the new cases are in Southern Health-Sante Sud.

Today’s data also shows:
• 12 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• 55 cases in the Northern health region;
• 13 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region; and
• 271 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

Public health officials have advised Buhler Active Living Centre in Winkler has been moved to Critical (Red) on Manitoba's Pandemic Response System. 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.

Outbreaks have also been declared at Winnipeg’s Health Science Centre GA3 unit, the Oakwood Place in Blumenort and St. Paul’s Personal Care Home in Dauphin. The sites have been moved to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Additionally, a possible public COVID-19 exposure has been listed for Winkler Elementary School for November 9th, 10th and 12th when the individual may have been infectious. Based on the public health investigation, this exposure was assessed to be low risk overall for the school community. Close contacts are being advised to self-isolate.

Public health indicates another possible public exposure at Ecole Morden Middle School for November 12th and 13th when a confirmed case was in the school on those dates when the individual may have been infectious. Based on the public health investigation, this exposure was assessed to be low risk overall for the school community. Close contacts are being advised to self-isolate.

Additional 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.

Meantime, eight additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today that include:

• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Keekinan Centre;
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Maples Long Term Care Home;
• a male in his 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region and linked to the outbreak at Rest Haven Nursing Home;
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Maples Long Term Care Home;
• a male in his 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region and linked to the outbreak at Rest Haven Nursing Home;
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Maples Long Term Care Home;
• a male in his 90s from the Prairie Mountain Health region and linked to the outbreak at the Gilbert Plains personal care home; and
• a female in her 90s from the Prairie Mountain Health region and linked to the outbreak at the Gilbert Plains personal care home.

The number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Manitoba, according to public health, is now 198.

Laboratory testing numbers show 3,269 tests were completed Wednesday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 321,853. Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified.

The latest data also shows:
• 7,629 active cases and 4,655 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; and
• there are 263 people in hospital with 43 people in intensive care

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.