‘Treat each other with kindness’ as pandemic rules change: Roussin

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This article was published 16/02/2022 (1361 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Six more Manitobans have died from COVID-19, the province announced while expanding availability of rapid tests and reining in its distribution of masks.

On Wednesday, the province reported the deaths of: a Winnipeg man in his 20s; a man in his 70s from Southern Health; a Winnipeg woman in her 90s linked to the outbreak at Tuxedo Villa; a woman in her 60s from Southern Health linked to the outbreak at Boyne Lodge; and a woman and man in their 80s from Prairie Mountain linked to the outbreak at St. Paul’s Home.

One death previously reported by the province was removed after it was determined not to be related to COVID-19, the government said in a release. The province’s death toll was 1,642.

Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said rapid antigen tests are now available for people who are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

The provincial government has received more stock from the federal government and is now in a position to allow Manitobans to pick up tests to keep at home, Roussin said.

“Supply is better now, so people don’t need to rush out to pick these up today or tomorrow, but it’s something you can add to your agenda the next time you’re running errands or near one of the testing locations,” he said.

People can receive up to two test kits per visit, according to the province. Results do not have to be reported but those who test positive must self-isolate and follow public health orders.

The government also noted KN95 masks will no longer be distributed through its Liquor Marts and casinos.

“Some locations may have remaining inventory that they are distributing, but are no longer receiving shipments for public distribution,” the province said in a release.

Roussin asked Manitobans to be kind to each other as public health orders are incrementally eliminated over the next four weeks.

“This is an important transitional phase for our province. It reflects that the COVID situation is stabilizing and improving in Manitoba at this point,” the doctor said.

He said some people may choose to continue to wear masks and some businesses may choose to require it after health orders are lifted. In indoor public places where distancing isn’t possible, people may want to consider wearing masks, Roussin noted.

People with underlying conditions or who are older should ensure they’re up to date with vaccines and managing their contacts and getting tested early if they experience symptoms.

“I’m asking all Manitobans to continue to respect each other and treat each other with kindness,” Roussin said. “This has been a difficult two years.

“Of course, we are not done with COVID, so we’re going to have to continue to work together to protect Manitoba.”

According to the government’s pandemic online dashboard, 614 people with COVID-19 were in hospital, including 38 in intensive care.

There were 352 new cases confirmed through PCR testing as of Wednesday morning. The test positivity rate provincewide was 21.2 per cent.

Just 1,595 tests were processed Tuesday.

The province is no longer tracking the majority of positive COVID-19 cases because PCR testing is limited and Manitobans using rapid tests are not able to report their results.