Monday marked a full two months since a case of COVID-19 was last detected in the Northern Health Region.
Manitoba provincial health officials are now tracking only nine active cases of the virus, with 300 people testing positive province-wide since the outbreak began. Only three cases have been reported within the NHR.
Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin gave updated numbers at a provincial testing update June 8, saying no new cases were reported June 8.
鈥淭he restrictions that were in place can't be in place forever. We need to learn how to live with this virus,鈥� he said.
鈥淢anitobans have to accept some level of risk as we move forward in order to open up the economy. It's just something that we're doing very slowly, very cautiously and then following those numbers very closely.鈥�
Any Manitoban with symptoms can get a COVID-19 test after filling out an online screening application.
Between June 5-7, over 2,000 COVID-19 tests were processed at Manitoba labs.
鈥淲e鈥檝e all battled through colds before. This is not going to be acceptable in our new normal,鈥� Roussin said.
鈥淧eople who are showing even mild symptoms of respiratory illness need to stay home and present for testing. We need people showing up to work or school or out in public showing symptoms.鈥�
Manitoba began phase two of reopening the province's economy June 1. No uptick of cases has been detected since the phase began, in contrast to other jurisdictions in North America.
鈥淢anitoba has been fortunate with our location and with the timing, that our numbers when we began a reopening were much lower than many other jurisdictions that had to reopen,鈥� Roussin said.
鈥淲e all know that the tight restrictions can't be in place forever. The tight restrictions have effects on health as well, so there's always that balance. A number of jurisdictions are in a very difficult position to decide on where that balance is.鈥�
Manitoba officials had been providing testing updates three times per week, but that will change starting this week. Instead of updates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, health officials will meet with journalists via conference call twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.
