As Manitoba moves slowly toward economic recovery from COVID-19, cases in the province are dropping lower.
One new case of the virus was reported in a provincial briefing June 3. With two new recoveries, Manitoba鈥檚 number of active cases dropped to nine.
Over 800 tests were processed in Manitoba yesterday, bringing the total number of people tested to over 48,000.
Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba chief provincial medical officer, said the province has additional capacity to test more people.
鈥淓ven if you're not sure - present for testing,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e have still a lot of capacity for testing and it's ideal if we can get to cases early so we can isolate as well as do some contact investigations can be very important for success moving forward.鈥�
The new case announced during the June 3 update is related to what officials call a "cluster" of cases at a business in the 麻豆传媒AVern Health Region. At least three cases from the cluster have been reported in foreign workers. Roussin said the company鈥檚 actions were able to limit any potential spread.
The workplace divided their 18 employees into groups of six during the pandemic and no cases have been detected outside of a single six-person group.
鈥淲e don't have a positive case outside that original cohort,鈥� Roussin said.聽
鈥淎ll the steps were taken in this particular episode. Certainly our biggest risk is the importation of the virus, but when we handle it in this way, it dramatically reduces the risk to the public.鈥�
The last six cases of COVID-19 detected in the province were related to travel.
鈥淲hen our numbers are quite favourable, then our biggest risk is the importation of the virus,鈥� Roussin said.聽
鈥淲e do have a number of processes in place to try to reduce that risk.鈥�
Manitoba entered phase two of the government's economic plan June 1, but other rules related to the pandemic are loosening. Provincial chief nursing officer Lanette Siragusa announced rules relating to hospital visits will begin to relax.
Most people in hospital will be allowed one visitor in at a time, with some procedures, including births, allowing for two people. For those in hospital battling respiratory illnesses, greater restrictions will be in effect.
鈥淭his will be another evolution," she said,
鈥淎s we learn and adopt through this pandemic, we believe these new guidelines strike a balance between protecting staff and patients, minimizing the spread of COVID as well as ensuring that those vital connections with loved ones helps to promote health and healing.鈥�
Manitoba鈥檚 next testing conference will be June 5. Daily online updates are continuing throughout the pandemic, but news conferences on the disease are now being held only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, pending emergencies.
