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Manitoba health officials say the province has 40 new COVID-19 cases.

As of Thursday, Manitoba had 167 probable and confirmed cases. One person has died, five people were in hospital and 11 have recovered.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief public health officer, confirmed on Wednesday Manitoba is now seeing cases of community transmission.

Public health is investigating a respiratory illness outbreak at a personal care home in Gimli, where an employee tested positive for COVID-19. #glbwpg — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) April 2, 2020

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Proud to confirm the backlog on #COVID19 testing is completely eliminated. All incoming tests are now processed within 48 hours of arrival. Thanks to the people at Cadham Lab for the hard work and long hours you put in to more than double capacity over the last week. #Covid19mb pic.twitter.com/41dQSS86zc — Cameron Friesen (@CameronFriesen) April 2, 2020

“Three additional staff across two Manitoba health-care facilities have tested positive for COVID-19,” said Roussin.

“The confirmed cases, at Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Winnipeg and Betel Home Gimli are being investigated by public health, occupational health and infection prevention and control officials.”

Yesterday, DynaCare made about 750 calls notifying patients who tested negative for the virus. #glbwpg — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) April 2, 2020

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All the workers who are affected are self-isolating or self-monitoring themselves, said Roussin, adding all workers who are in acute and long term care facilities are now under new screening procedures.

Siragusa says she believes 30-34 health care workers were in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 at HSC. Those people have been sent home to self-isolate for 2 weeks. — Brittany Greenslade (@BrittAtGlobal) April 2, 2020

Roussin said now that the backlog at the provincial lab has cleared, testing requirements can be further relaxed and changes will be made shortly.

“This is not the time for travel, even leisure travel such as to cottages and such,” he added.

PPE — will be worn during ALL contact with patients Siragusa says. This is a change in protocol from previous. — Brittany Greenslade (@BrittAtGlobal) April 2, 2020

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4:17 Manitoba Nurses Union on COVID-19 measures Manitoba Nurses Union on COVID-19 measures

Lanette Siragusa of Shared Health acknowledged how hard the pandemic is on healthcare workers and their families.

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“In the last few days, the true reality of what’s happened elsewhere is starting to be felt in Manitoba.”

Patients who have been deemed close contact with the healthcare workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been moved into isolation and are being tested for the virus as well, Lanette Siragusa says. #glbwpg — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) April 2, 2020

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Shared Health and provincial officials are looking at temporary hospitals, said Siragusa, adding HSC and St. Boniface Hospital are looking at creating COVID-19-specific wards.

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.

Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.

For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.

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