(Story Source the Government of Manitoba)
One additional presumptive positive case of COVID-19 has been identified in Manitoba, for a total of eight cases. At this time, it appears all cases were exposed to the virus through recent travel.
Case eight is a man in his 80s who lives in Winnipeg. Patient contact and public health investigations are ongoing.
Public health officials are strongly advising all Manitobans, including health-care providers, to cancel or postpone any non-essential international travel. They are also recommending all international travellers self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after returning to Canada.
Work is underway to finalize guidelines for health-care and critical infrastructure workers who return from international travel to address any impacts on essential services. All physicians, health-care providers and support staff returning from international travel MUST self-identify to their organization or site’s occupational health services.
Manitoba patients are advised their surgery may be postponed if their surgeon has determined their procedure can be safely delayed for three months or longer without any significant effects on their health. The goal is to protect patients who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Patients that will be affected by cancellations will include:
• patients older than 70 years of age;
• patients with significant underlying health conditions; and
• patients who are immune compromised.
Patients will be contacted directly to confirm that their surgery is being affected.
CancerCare Manitoba advises that patients with symptoms of a respiratory illness should not visit their sites. Instead, patients with symptoms should call their health-care team and follow their instructions on next steps. Cancer patients should check the website www.cancercare.mb.ca for regular updates to cancer patient information.
Manitobans are reminded that certain individuals should NOT visit acute care or long term care facilities. This includes those who have:
• returned from international travel in the last 14 days;
• been instructed to self-isolate for 14 days; or
• have cold or flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, weakness or headache.
Only one visitor per patient at a time is allowed in acute care facilities, such as hospitals, across Manitoba. This does not apply to parents of children in hospital. Also, exceptions will be made for special circumstances, such as visitors who require an escort or those going to see a patient nearing the end of their life.
All Manitobans should practice good social distancing strategies including minimizing prolonged (more than 10 minutes), close (less than two metres) contact between other individuals in public.
Anyone displaying symptoms of having COVID-19, particularly those who have travelled internationally in the past 14 days, are asked to contact Health Links-Info Sante at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 for further information.
For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19.