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Manitoba’s coronavirus numbers remain at 20, despite the addition of another probable case.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief public health officer, said officials identified another case, a man in his 50s as a probable case.

However, another case has been ruled out, keeping our number of confirmed and probable cases at 20.

The province seems to have switched to using "probable" instead of "presumptive." Unclear why the swap is being made. — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) March 23, 2020

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The latest case is related to travel, said Roussin.

Roussin said the current orders to keep crowds to 50 or less only applies to public spaces, not to workplaces.

Dr. Roussin reiterates social distancing doesn't mean planning play dates with others or crowding at outdoor venues. But reminds people to not socially isolate. "Stay connected to the people we love." — Brittany Greenslade (@BrittAtGlobal) March 23, 2020

The province will be moving to releasing numbers once a day. In the past 10 days, they had been releasing twice a day.

Health Links received nearly 2,400 calls yesterday with the average wait dropping to 33 minutes, provincial lead on healthy system integration Lanette Siragusa says. The online tool received about 35,000 views yesterday for a total of 240,000 views since launching last Tuesday. — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) March 23, 2020

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Lanette Siragusa of Shared Health said blood supplies are in much better shape, but said if people have 0-negative blood, they’re asked to continue to donate.

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Wider testing is being planned, said Roussin, but won’t do so until capacity permits.

0:52 Coronavirus outbreak: Manitoba health official thanks Tim Hortons for delivering coffee and snacks for testing labs Coronavirus outbreak: Manitoba health official thanks Tim Hortons for delivering coffee and snacks for testing labs

“[We’re] Looking at ways to increase capacity,” he said, but they’re still focusing on priority cases like health workers and the elderly.

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“I can tell you from an acute care perspective … we are at low volumes right now, low occupancy,” said Siragusa.

“We should continue to be vigilant, but w’ere not seeing COVID-19 in our hospitals right now.”

"We are testing a lot of individuals and we're going to continue to try to expand that," he says. "But testing is not the only measure of surveillance." Mentions not seeing similar symptoms showing up at ERs in hospitals around the province. #glbwpg — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) March 23, 2020

As for medications, Roussin acknowledged the current one-month supply limit may be reviewed in light of an expected increase in visits to pharmacies and increase of dispensing fees.

Manitoba currently has 20 cases of COVID-19. All have been transmitted via international and domestic travel.

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There is no plan to limit intra-province travel at this point.

Additionally, the lone person with COVID-19 who was in hospital (in stable condition) has now been discharged. #glbwpg — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) March 23, 2020

Manitoba declared a state of emergency last week. Premier Brian Pallister will be talking to media today at 2 p.m.

Premier Brian Pallister will have a COVID-19 presser today at 2 p.m. — Elisha Dacey (@elishadacey) March 23, 2020

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