Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported 97 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon bringing the five day test positivity rate to 5.4 percent.  He also announced two additional deaths both in the Winnipeg region.  Of the new cases 54 are in Winnipeg and 36 in the Northern health region with single digits in other regions.  Of the total 31,483 reported cases 1219 are active, 29,378 individuals have recovered and 206 are in hospital with 32 in intensive care.  Roussin noted there are no new confirmed cases related to the COVID variants of concern other than the four recoveries related to travel previously reported.

Meanwhile Saskatchewan health reported 177 new cases this afternoon bringing the seven day average of daily new cases to 158.  Of the new cases 58 are in Saskatoon, 42 in Regina and 20 in North West zone with single digits in other zones including five in Far North East.  Of the total 27,797 reported cases 1652 are considered active, 25,733 individuals have recovered and 177 are in hospital with 15 in intensive care.  Eighty-one percent of residents in long term care homes in the province have now received one dose of vaccine while 43 percent have received the two recommended.