Public health officials advise the current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.9 per cent and 29 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30am on September 20, 2020. However, a case previously reported on Sept. 19 was removed from the case totals. This means the total net new cases today is 28, bringing the number of cases in Manitoba to 1,586.

The data shows:

  • two cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
  • three cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
  • one case in the Southern Health–Santé Sud; and
  • 23 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:

  • 354 active cases and 1,216 individuals have recovered from COVID-19;
  • there are 11 people in hospital and three people in intensive care; and
  • the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 16.

Case investigations continue and if a public health risk is identified, the public will be notified. Preliminary laboratory testing numbers show 1,216 on Saturday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February to 164,177.

Public health officials have sent a letter to parents about a possible exposure to COVID-19 at the Munroe Early Childhood Education Centre Preschool at 505 Chalmers Ave. in Winnipeg on Sept. 14 in the morning and afternoon. Based on the public health investigation, close contacts have been identified and contacted directly with public health officials with advice to self-isolate (quarantine).

The centre is working closely with public health officials and following their recommendations. The centre has closed off areas used by the infected person and will not use these areas until after cleaning and disinfection have occurred. The centre will remain open to all other children and staff, who can continue to attend the centre in person.

Public Health is also advising of possible exposures to COVID-19 at the following sites on the dates and times listed below.

  • Café La Scala at 725 Corydon Ave. in Winnipeg on Friday, Sept. 11 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Public health officials advise the restaurant has been closed while case investigations are underway.
  • The Local Public Eatery at 274 Garry St. in Winnipeg on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12. The restaurant had been closed while public health investigations were underway, but has since reopened.
  • XXI Lounge at 1011 Pembina Hwy. in Winnipeg on Friday, Sept. 11 from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. and Sunday, Sept. 13 from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. The site had been closed while public health investigations were underway, but has since reopened.
  • Winnipeg Transit, John Pritchard School Route S412 on Monday, Sept. 14 and Tuesday, Sept. 15 from Headmaster/Mildred to John Pritchard School from approximately 8:15 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. and from John Pritchard School to Headmaster/Mildred from approximately 3 p.m. to 3:25 p.m.

There has been a concerning increase in the number of cases in Winnipeg, with many cases having large numbers of close contacts. Recent success in the Prairie Mountain Health region shows that focusing on the fundamentals can reduce the transmission of COVID-19. The chief provincial public health officer strongly encourages residents of and visitors to Winnipeg to focus on these fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

People must stay home if sick. Wash/sanitize your hands, cover your cough and physically distance when you are with people outside your household. If you cannot physically distance, you should wear a mask to help reduce your risk. Reduce the number of close contacts outside your household, and avoid closed-in or crowded spaces.

Unless recommended by public health officials, only individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should go for testing. Individuals with symptoms are asked to seek testing as soon as possible once symptoms are present. Employers are asked to only send employees for testing if they have symptoms or if testing has been recommended by public health officials.

The online assessment tool can be found at sharedhealthmb.ca and COVID-19 symptoms can be found at gov.mb.ca.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit manitoba.ca.