COVID-19 daily updates - Friday, April 17
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- Published on Friday, April 17, 2020
No new cases announced today in Manitoba
Public health officials advise no new cases of COVID-19 were identified as of 9:30 a.m. today, and the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba remains at 250.
The data also shows:
• eight individuals are currently hospitalized, which includes four individuals in intensive care;
• 113 active cases and 132 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; and
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at five.
Cadham Provincial Laboratory performed 508 tests Thursday. A total of 18,856 tests have been performed since early February.
The chief provincial public health officer has updated public health orders that take effect today and will be in effect until May 1. Some important clarifications have been made to the orders that were first announced April 16. Appliance stores and furniture stores that sell appliances may remain open to the public, providing social distancing measures are in place.
Additional clarification on the public health orders and the schedule of critical services can be found online at www.manitoba.ca/covid19/soe.html.
Assessment clinics for COVID-19 patients offer primary care services on an appointment basis for anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or has respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath. In addition to the primary care space, these locations also serve as designated testing sites in a separate area at the site.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required. For up-to-date information on community screening sites visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/locations.html.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19 visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19.
A comprehensive list of Manitoba government COVID-19 measures can be found at https://manitoba.ca/bg/2020/04/covid19.html.
Province adds $300 million to COVID-19 support, relief
The Manitoba government is investing an additional $300 million to ensure the government can respond quickly to front-line health-care needs and protect vulnerable Manitobans, Central Services Minister Reg Helwer announced today.
“Our government has already fast-tracked $100 million in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 through our Manitoba Protection Plan,” said Helwer. “Today, we’re quadrupling our commitment to $400 million for the COVID-19 Procurement Fund to ensure our plan is effective and that we can continue to be proactive in the steps we take to protect Manitobans during this pandemic.”
This investment will support outbreak planning, prevention and mitigation efforts, and allow the province to secure the supplies and resources needed to deliver the best care possible for Manitoba patients.
Funds are being used for purposes such as:
• purchasing significant amounts of essential medical supplies and equipment, including personal protective equipment;
• developing hotel capacity for those requiring isolation;
• preparing for large-scale low acuity medical overflow for hospitals;
• supporting the local, made-in-Manitoba production of gowns, scrubs, gloves and other medical equipment including an RFP to award $15 million of production to Manitoba-designed reusable silicone N95 masks;
• providing training and grants to child-care experts to become entrepreneurs by opening their own small-scale daycares;
• establishing a COVID-19 research fund through Research Manitoba;
• providing a new digital online service for mental health support;
• creating https://helpnextdoormb.ca/ to link Manitobans needing help with volunteers;
• engaging local call centre, 24-7 Intouch, to contact Manitobans to drive awareness of government support programs to small businesses, charities and not-for-profits; and
• opening multiple provincewide testing sites to bolster the response to this health crisis.
“This new investment continues to address the needs of our front-line health-care workers and patients,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen. “Our government is taking every step possible to protect Manitoba families and ensure people are able to get the care they need during this critical time.”
The Manitoba government has also undertaken a number of investments to provide immediate relief to Manitobans facing financial challenges by deferring provincial fees and charges, funding support for child-care services for critical service providers and expanding shelter capacity to support people affected by homelessness, noted Helwer.
The province is asking manufacturers or businesses to visit the COVID-19 portal at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/business/index.html if:
• they can rapidly scale up production or re-tool manufacturing lines to develop products made in Manitoba to help in the fight against COVID-19; or
• they have a stock of personal protective equipment that is not being used due to closures and physical distancing.
In addition, Manitoba businesses can donate unused personal protective equipment supplies in original packaging, clean and in useable condition. More information can be found at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/supply-donations/.
For more information about COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19 and a comprehensive list of Manitoba government COVID-19 measures can be found at https://manitoba.ca/bg/2020/04/covid19.html.
