4th COVID-19 patient dies in Manitoba

Manitoba's top doctor announced the province's fourth death related to COVID-19 on Fridaya Winnipeg man in his 70s who ended up in intensive care.

The man had underlying medical conditions, chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said at a news conference.

There have now been four deaths in the province related to the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Before the man was hospitalizedhewas at a personal care home, Roussin said,but it's not believed the man contracted the coronavirus while he was there.

Roussin saidhe is not aware of any connection between the man who died and any other patients.

Health officials announced six new cases of COVID-19 in the province on Friday,bringing Manitoba's total to 230 134 of which are considered active.

Ninety-two people in Manitoba have now recovered from the illness.

Roussin said the province's low number of new caseannouncements lately suggests physical distancing efforts may be working.

WATCH | Dr. Brent Roussin says proportion of positive tests going down:

Dr. Brent Roussin says despite no mass testing, Manitoba is monitoring COVID-19 spread

5 years ago

Duration 1:23

Dr. Brent Roussin says the province is continuing to expand its efforts to test people for COVID-19, but were not likely missing some hidden epidemic right now.

He repeated his warnings that people must continue to practise physical distancing, stay home if they're sick, wash their hands regularly, and avoid gatherings and travel.

"I think we moved quickly. There's some evidence that some of our actions have had an effect," he said."But again, I don't want that to be misinterpreted [to suggest] that our risk is low right now."

Roussin said the province is going to try to keep expanding its rules on who is eligible forCOVID-19 testing, but the number of hospitalizations isbeing monitored for any signs of spread.

He said they're not seeing those numbers climb, and the proportion of positive tests for the coronavirus is going down over time.

All this suggests "we're not likely missing some hidden epidemic right now," he said.

Mosthospitalizations men with underlying conditions

There are now 10 people with COVID-19 in hospital in Manitoba, five of whom are in intensive care units.

Thepatients in intensive care right now range in age frompeople in their 50s to people in their70s, said Roussin. Most of thepatients aremenand mosthave hypertension.

The age range of Manitobans hospitalized withthe disease in general stretches from people in their 20s to people in their 80s, Roussin said.

About two-thirds of those patients are male, and most have respiratory or cardiac conditions, or are diabetic, he said.

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The province's Cadham lab did 962 tests on Thursday, bringing the total number of COVID-19 tests done in Manitoba to16,220.

Roussin said the province is keeping a close eye on the situation at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, after two employees and one of their close contacts tested positive for COVID-19. He said the health of critical workers like lab employees is important.

People waiting for COVID-19 test results for more than a week should call their health-care provider not testing sites or Health Links to follow up, Siragusa said.

WATCH | Dr. Brent Roussin says Manitoba needs to stay vigilant:

Dr. Brent Roussin says evidence is encouraging, but we need to keep physical distancing

5 years ago

Duration 1:18

Dr. Brent Roussin talks about how Manitobas approach to fighting COVID-19 may have impacted the rate of the viruss spread, and why its still important to follow guidelines and stay vigilant.

Manitoba has opened a self-isolation sitefor people experiencing homelessness as of today in Winnipeg. The site has 39 units for people who have tested positive for, or are suspected to have,COVID-19.

The first 10 units opened today andare not designed for drop-in or self-referral.Clients need a referral from shelter sites, testing sites or care providers within the health system.

WATCH | Full news conference on COVID-19 | April 10, 2020:

Manitoba government daily briefing on coronavirus: April 10

5 years ago

Duration 39:20

Provincial officials give update on COVID-19 outbreak: Friday, April 10, 2020.

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