Manitoba Chief Public Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported 318 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon with a five day test positivity rate of 13.4 percent..  He also reported nine additional deaths with four in the Winnipeg region, two each in Southern Health and Prairie Mountain and one in Interlake Eastern health region.

Of the 18,069 reported cases 9172 are considered active, 8535 people have recovered and 361 are in hospital with 55 in intensive care.

Chief Nursing Officer Linette Siragusa says she can’t emphasize enough the effect these numbers are having on their staff throughout the system. She explains while the overall case numbers that we’re seeing in the province are starting to stabilize somewhat the admissions to hospital and critical care continue and it’s a scary thought to think about what would happen if we don’t have the restrictions and if Manitobans weren’t doing their part so they want to thank everyone for  everything they have done so far.

Of the 318 new cases 200 are in the Winnipeg region and 54 in Southern Health with lower numbers in other regions including 30 in Northern Health Region.