The number of active COVID-19 cases in Manitoba continues to drop. The province announced two new cases during an April 30 briefing and seven new recoveries, dropping Manitoba's active case count to 49.
Manitoba chief provincial health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said only five Manitobans were in hospital fighting the virus, with none in intensive care.
Premier Brian Pallister announced the province's reopening plan April 29, with some non-essential services allowed to reopen as soon as May 4. Roussin stated that the change would not mandate business owners to reopen next week.
鈥淭his is a lifting of restrictions. This is not a directive,鈥� Roussin said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not directing anyone to open their business鈥� We think if the guidelines are followed, this is a safe and cautious approach.鈥�
Restrictions on travel to northern Manitoba will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
More people are eligible to be tested for COVID-19 in Manitoba. All symptomatic people across the province are now encouraged to get tested. Any northern resident showing COVID-19 symptoms has been qualified to be tested for the past two weeks.
Roussin said even if symptoms are mild and the best treatment is to stay home, it鈥檚 still important to get tested.
鈥淚f we get tested, then it allows for contact tracing,鈥� he said.
鈥淢ost important is to stay home if you鈥檙e ill, but right now there鈥檚 a lot of benefit to detecting cases and one of those benefits is being able to contact all of your contacts.鈥�
Officials added that wait times at emergency rooms have dropped by over 10 per cent since the outbreak began and asked Manitobans to pursue medical attention if they need it.
鈥淲e want to make sure people know our doors are open and we鈥檙e there to serve,鈥� Manitoba chief nursing officer Lanette Siragusa said during the April 30 update.
Roussin said despite the loosening of public health orders, the changes coming next week are not a signal that life will go back to normal immediately.
鈥淭his isn鈥檛 a return to normal,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his is a gradual reintroduction of economic issues, but we still need to be cautious.鈥�
Business owners with questions about the loosened restrictions can visit EngageMB.ca for more information.
