Manitoba鈥檚 COVID-19 caseload is hovering at low amounts, with the province tracking five active cases as of June 15. Health officials announced three new cases of COVID-19 were reported throughout the province over the weekend, but added no new cases were found between June 14 and 9:30 a.m. June 15.
The three cases from June 13-14 were family contacts with other COVID-19 cases. The province determined a COVID-19 case detected June 12 was related to travel from Ontario.
鈥淲e have to learn to live with this virus, because this virus isn't going away,鈥� said Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin in a June 15 briefing.
鈥淲hen we see cases like this, we can't be deterred from our progress and our reopening plans for these numbers.鈥�
None of the new cases were in the Northern Health Region.
More than 2,000 tests were processed in Manitoba between June 12-14. Over 54,000 Manitobans have been tested for COVID-19 since the outbreak began.
The provincial state of emergency for Manitoba was extended for 30 more days June 15, allowing for an extension of existing public health orders - including restrictions on non-essential travel into northern Manitoba.
鈥淎lmost all Manitobans follow the public health advice,鈥� Roussin said.
鈥淓nforcement is in place. It can occur, but it's usually not the most important thing... Our numbers have been showing that Manitobans have taken this seriously.鈥�
A public survey released by the Angus Reid Institute June 15 shows Canadians are becoming less likely to follow health regulations. Roussin said Manitobans will have to remain vigilant to keep the number of cases low.
鈥淚 caution against the return to normal, but it is safe to be partaking in these reopening plans,鈥� Roussin said.
鈥淐ertainly those at increased risk - those over age 65, those with medical conditions - need to be extra cautious, but I think this reopening strategy is quite safe. It's prudent for the numbers we have and I'd encourage Manitobans to make those choices on their own to decide on their risk tolerance.鈥�
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Federal response
Earlier June 15, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be extended. The program was set to expire in early July.
The federal NDP said they would refuse to support other legislation until the CERB was extended.听
Trudeau also urged small businesses to apply for support through the federal government鈥檚 wage subsidy program. Any business that saw a downturn of 30 per cent is eligible for support from the federal government.
Exact details of the CERB extension were not available as of press time.
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