Manitoba public health reported 147 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon holding the five day test positivity rate at 5.9 percent. Of the new cases 71 were in Southern health and 33 in Winnipeg with lower numbers in other regions including 12 in Northern health where there are 353 active cases.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin says the COVID vaccine offers protection but it’s also important to get a flu shot this time of year.  He explains that flu shot is a great way to protect yourself and the people around you from the flu which can be quite a severe illness as well especially those people who are at significant risk, those over 65 or under 5, those with underlying medical conditions or people who are around them so they really encourage Manitobans to contact their health care provider or pharmacy and get that flu shot as soon as you can.

Roussin adds it not only protects you but it helps to keep pressure off our health care system that already exists due to COVID-19.