What is going on in Manitoba? COVID-19 cases are soaring

Multiple COVID-19 outbreaks in the Manitoba

At the start of the pandemic, Manitoba reported the lowest amount of COVID-19 cases in the country, with respect to the Northern Territories. Within the last few weeks, the province has recorded multiple COVID-19 hot spots that are of concern.

The first notable break out came from the Hutterite Colonies in the Southern and Interlake-Eastern health regions. The second outbreak and most concerning is in the provinces second largest city, Brandon Manitoba.

With a population of almost 50,000 and home to returning university students and many out of town workers, the city will be looking to the provincial government for guidance.

As of 9:30 am today, thirty-six new cases of the virus has been identified while two previously identified cases have been removed. One previously identified case has been confirmed as an out-of-province resident while another previously identified case has been determined to not be a case.

This brings the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba to 697. The data shows there was:• one new case in the Interlake–Eastern Health region;• nine new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;• 21 new cases in Southern Health–Santé Sud; and• five new cases in the Winnipeg health region.  

The majority of today’s Southern Health–Santé Sud regional cases are linked to a known cluster. The data also shows:

• Nine current hospitalizations, with three individuals in intensive care
• 205 active cases and 483 individuals have recovered from COVID-19
• The number of deaths due to COVID-19 in the province now sits at nine

Manitoba completed an additional 1,669 laboratory tests on Saturday, bringing the total number of tests completed since early February to 113,952. 

With the current uptick of the infections, many are calling for the Pallister government to scale back opening up the economy to prevent further spread of the virus. This feeling may be the feeling of many, but highly unlikely.

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