COVID-19 Daily updates - Friday, Mar. 27
- Details
- Published on Friday, March 27, 2020
4:19 p.m. Location of Dauphin COVID-19 test site reconsidered
Prairie Mountain Health has announced that it is currently working on confirming a COVID-19 community testing site location in Dauphin. The original location, a 水果视频 Public Insurance (MPI) service centre, has been reconsidered by health officials.
Health officials with the region are working diligently to secure a new location in the community that better suits the unique needs required of a testing site. Once a site is confirmed, more information will be released.
COVID-19 is spread by direct and prolonged exposure (longer than 10 minutes) or contact with an infected person. Community members are reminded to seek factual, up-to-date information about the virus at www.manitoba.ca/covid19.
As a reminder, any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links鈥揑nfo Sant茅 at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
1:35 p.m. Province establishing COVID-19 travel checkstops
The 水果视频 government will establish five highway checkpoints and provide information in airports to help inform travellers about the public health measures in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen and Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced today.
鈥淲e must do everything we can to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and on our health-care system,鈥� said Cullen. 鈥淭his approach will help ensure travellers know they must self-isolate, what the province鈥檚 state of emergency means to them and other important public health information. By being informed, we can reduce the risk to 水果视频ns and help keep our communities healthy and safe.鈥�
Travellers will receive information about 水果视频鈥檚 current state of emergency, public health orders issued under The Public Health Act, and the need to immediately self-isolate for 14 days after travel in Canada or internationally. If 水果视频ns need assistance with groceries, prescription pickup and other services, they are encouraged to go to .
Cullen noted this kind of proactive measure to inform travellers and help slow the spread of COVID-19 is critical.
Checkpoints will be located at the:
鈥� Ontario border:
- Trans-Canada Highway East (West Hawk Lake/Falcon Lake);
鈥� Saskatchewan border:
- Trans-Canada Highway West (west of Kirkella/Elkhorn/Virden);
- PTH 16 (west of Russell);
- PTH 5W (west of Roblin); and
- PTH 2 (west of Sinclair/Reston/Souris).
鈥淲e expect these checkpoints to be operational this week, staffed by provincial employees,鈥� said Schuler. 鈥淒rivers can expect to see roadside signage to help direct them to the checkpoints and support traffic safety.鈥�
These checkpoints are established under the authority of The Public Health Act. No one will be denied entry into 水果视频 at these locations.
Signage will also be placed at the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and the Brandon Municipal Airport to ensure people arriving on domestic flights have similar information.
The province continues to rely on the recommendations of the chief provincial public health officer and encourages all 水果视频ns to engage in good social distancing protocols including practising following the 3P鈥檚 鈥� protect yourself, protect your loved ones and protect your community. For more information, visit .
Effective March 23, public health officials recommended anyone who returns from international or domestic travel should self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days following their return. This recommendation does not include:
鈥� the commercial transportation of goods;
鈥� workers who live in a neighbouring jurisdiction and travel to 水果视频 for work;
鈥� health care workers who travel to work from outside the province; and
鈥� normal personal travel in border communities including visits to a cottage.
11:12 a.m. New COVID-19 cases confirmed in 水果视频
Public health officials advise three additional probable cases of COVID-19 have been identified in 水果视频, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases to 39 at this time. 水果视频 has also recorded its first patient death. Patient specific details are not being released at this time.
Public health investigations are underway to determine additional details and to confirm the possible exposure of this/these case/cases.
As authorized under The Public Health Act, the following measures will be in place, effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Mar. 30. Public gatherings will be limited to no more than 10 people at any indoor or outdoor place or premises. This includes places of worship, gatherings and family events such as weddings and funerals. This does not apply to a facility where health care or social services are provided including child-care centres and homeless shelters.
Retail businesses including grocery or food stores, shopping centres, pharmacies or gas stations must ensure separation of one to two metres between patrons assembling in the business. Public transportation facilities must also ensure that people assembling at the facility are reasonably able to maintain a separation of one to two metres.
10:34 a.m. Ottawa annouces new economic measures to help small businesses
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has released some details on new support for small business to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. Trudeau said that the federal government is increasing a payrool subsidy to 75 per cent of salaries, a major increase over the orginal 10 per cent subsidy plan.
The subsidy will be retroactive to mid-March and is part of several new measures unveiled today. Trudeau did not provide specific details on what is required for a business to tap into the subsidy, though he did indicate that more information would be made public on Monday.
The federal government is also launching a special emergency business account for small businesses that will see banks offer $40,000 government-guaranteed loans interest-free for the first year. If certain conditions are met, the first $10,000 will be forgiven.
During his morning media conference, Trudeau said he hopes these measures will allow employers to retain staff through this global pandemic and help keep businesses afloat.
10:20 a.m. Province launches anxiety coping program related to COVID-19
The 水果视频 government is investing in the mental health of 水果视频ns by introducing a program to help address anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.
鈥淧andemics bring about a high level of stress and anxiety, and the health and well-being of 水果视频ns continues to be our priority during this uncertain time,鈥� said Pallister. 鈥淢any of us are feeling concerns over whether we will get sick, the health of our families, the security of our jobs, being isolated from our loved ones and many other variables. As part of our emergency response to COVID-19, we are introducing an easily accessible virtual option to help support 水果视频ns.鈥�
To help 水果视频ns experiencing mild to moderate anxiety due to COVID-19, the province is partnering with Morneau Shepell, Canada鈥檚 leading provider of technology-enabled HR services, to launch an internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) program free of charge to all 水果视频ns 16 years old and over. The province will spend $4.5 million to provide these services to 水果视频ns for up to a year.
Morneau Shepell launched this digital therapy program last week in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new program is guided by professional therapists and addresses anxiety symptoms related to the uniquely challenging aspects of pandemics: uncertainty, physical isolation, caring for family and community members, information overload and stress management.
Morneau Shepell鈥檚 national network includes thousands of therapists experienced in dealing with the psychological impact of various traumatic events. Program participants also have access to live crisis counsellors who are available 24-7 if any risk of harm or crisis is identified.
The program will be available in English and French in the coming weeks at .
Pallister noted this is an additional resource to supplement a number of mental health organizations funded by the 水果视频 government. Existing organizations that provide crisis support via phone, text and video conference will continue to provide support through the pandemi
