Manitoba Acting Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Jazz Atwal reported 133 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon, with a five-day test positivity rate of 12.4 percent. 

 

He also reported five additional deaths, with four in the Winnipeg region and one in Southern Health. 

 

Atwal says this is good news, but adds 133 cases and five deaths does not mean we can be careless with our actions, take the restrictions currently in place less seriously, go see friends and family outside our households, or host people this Thursday to celebrate the new year.  He explains that our hard work is starting to pay off, limiting our contacts and working from home is making a difference, and that we need to keep doing what we are doing.

 

Of the new cases, 97 are in Winnipeg Region, 22 in Southern Health and single digit numbers in other regions including three in Northern Health. 

 

Of the total 24, 385 reported cases, 4, 424 are active, 19, 302 individuals have recovered, and 338 are in hospital with 36 in intensive care.

 

In the Northern Health region, there are currently 963 active cases of COVID-19, with 45 in the Thompson/Mystrey Lke District, 85 in The Pas/OCN/Kelsey District, and two in the Flin Flon/Snow Lake/Cranberry/Sherridon District.

 

Additionally, there are 26 active hospitalizations with three patients in ICU. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the region remains at 19.