Two new deaths from COVID-19 in Manitoba

WINNIPEG — Health officials in Manitoba announced there are two new deaths related to COVID-19.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the province's, chief provincial public health officer, made the announcement Monday afternoon, noting there are now 18 deaths.

Roussin said the two deaths were both people in their 80s. One was a man in the Southern Health Region and the second was a woman in the Prairie Mountain Health Region.

He also said there are 22 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,608, since early March.

Of the new cases, one is in the Interlake-Eastern Health Region, two are in the Prairie Mountain Health Region, three are in the Southern Health Region, and 16 are in the Winnipeg Health Region.

There are currently 362 active cases and 1,227 people have recovered.

There are eight people in hospital, two of which are in intensive care.

On Friday, 1,626 tests were performed, 1,425 tests were done on Saturday, and 1,116 tests were done on Sunday, bringing the total to 166,998 since early February.

FOCUSING ON FUNDAMENTALS

Winnipeg continues to lead the way with the most active cases at 284.

Roussin said these numbers are concerning, adding Winnipeggers need to focus on the fundamentals to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"We want to ensure that people are following those fundamentals now, we don't want to see the numbers continue to trend up that way," said Roussin. "As we have done that before in the first wave, as we have done that in Prairie Mountain Health, we can see that those measures are effective."

Roussin was asked why there hasn't been an announcement to mandate mask-wearing in the city.

"We're still looking at a number of our indicators," said Roussin.

He pointed to active cases being the same as when the restrictions were put in place in the Prairie Mountain Health Region, but he notes Winnipeg has a much larger population. Roussin also noted the health system isn't being taxed because of the increase in cases.

"We're watching these things very closely and we do want to be able to respond when necessary. Didn't make that decision today, but like we said, nothing is off the table."

Roussin also added that the increase in active cases isn't related to just one thing.

"It's not as clear as in the Prairie Mountain Health Region, where we did see that. It was largely gatherings, family gatherings, public gatherings. We're seeing exposures at various bars, some restaurants, just gatherings in homes. So there isn't a specific scenario in Winnipeg."