Manitoba marks fourth COVID-19 death

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This article was published 10/04/2020 (2161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg man in his 70s is the fourth Manitoban to die from complications of COVID-19.

The man had spent time in the intensive care unit at a city hospital, and was in appropriate isolation at the time of his death, Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief public health officer, said in a teleconference Friday afternoon.

The man had been transferred from a personal care home, Roussin said, though an earlier public health investigation indicated he hadn’t been infectious while at that facility.

No other care home residents have been thought to have contracted the virus through contact with the man, Roussin said.

The province also announced six new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba, bringing the total to 230 since March 12.

In the nearly 30 days since its presence was detected in Manitoba, 92 individuals have recovered, with a total of 134 active cases as of Friday, down from 145 at midweek, the province said.

While the numbers are encouraging, and serve as an indication control efforts may be working, Roussin said now is not the time to ease up on physical-distancing practices.

"We need to double our efforts," he said, noting early signs that case isolation and contact tracing efforts are having an impact. "But we cannot let up on any of these activities.

"It’s too early for Manitobans to feel good about these numbers. It’s very likely they will increase over time."

In Winnipeg, control efforts reached another level over the long weekend, as the municipal and provincial government officially made city-owned recreation spaces (such as play structures, skateboard parks, and outdoor sports facilities) entirely off limits to the public. Breaching the new rules could result in fines or jail time.

As well, the province announced it had commandeered a 39-unit apartment building in Winnipeg, meant to serve as an isolation site for people experiencing homelessness, should they test be required to self-isolate. The first 10 units opened Friday, and any use will come from a referral from shelters, testing sites, or care providers in the health-care system.

Lanette Siragusa, chief nursing officer of Shared Health, said the facility was being opened proactively: as far as she knew, no homeless person has so far met the criteria.

"It’s part of our preparation for what we want to be in front of," she said.

“It’s too early for Manitobans to feel good about these numbers. It’s very likely they will increase over time.” – Chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin

As the Easter long weekend began, Roussin was firm Manitobans should not host or take part in any get-togethers, which could disrupt the efforts most of the province has undertaken over the previous month. This is also not the time for a weekend getaway to cottage country, he said, reiterating the province’s messaging.

"The virus is currently in every health region in Manitoba," Roussin said.

One of the more high-profile instances outside Winnipeg occurred at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre some two weeks ago, when a worker tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, several employees at the centre were instructed to self-isolate for 14 days, a period which has now ended.

Siragusa said every person tested at the centre received a negative result, and each has been cleared to return to work.

She said the situation was an indication staff vigilance and adherence to self-isolation measures can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus within the health-care system.

Meanwhile, Roussin said of the 10 patients in Manitoba hospitals with the virus, five are in intensive care units. The ages of those in the ICU range from 50s through 70s; four of five also have hypertension, the province said.

Of the 21 people admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 thus far, the age range has spanned from 20s to 80s. Most had underlying respiratory or cardiac issues or diabetes, the province said.

Regardless of age or level of personal health, Roussin said the province’s message remains the same as it has for weeks: avoid any non-essential travel, follow physical distancing guidelines, practise proper hygiene and frequent handwashing, and stay home.

"Now is not the time to loosen our efforts," he said.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca