Manitoba reported 127 new cases of COVID-19 over the previous three days Sept. 2, one day before new public health orders requiring proof of vaccination be shown in order to attend many facilities and events take effect.
The new infections include 34 on Tuesday, 57 on Wednesday and 36 today. Fifteen previously reported cases have been removed from Manitoba’s total due to data corrections.
Two-thirds of the 36 new infections today involved people who are not fully vaccinated.
There were nine new cases of COVID-19 reported for the northern region on Thursday, eight of which involved people who are not fully vaccinated.
There are currently officially 81 active cases of COVID-19 among northern residents, though the district-by-district listings on the provincial government’s website show a total of 76 – 49 in the Island Lake district, 19 in The Pas/Opaskwayak/Kelsey district, five in unknown districts and three in the Pukatawagan/Mathias Colomb health district.
There are 70 Manitobans in hospital as a result of COVID-19 infections, 15 of whom are in intensive care. Seven northerns are hospitalized due to the virus, but none of them are in intensive care.
Three more deaths resulting from COVID-19 were announced Sept. 2, taking the total number of Manitobans who have died as a result of the virus since the pandemic began to 1,192.
The five-day test positivity rate is 2.4 per cent.
The province’s new public health orders include some provisions that don’t take effect until Sept. 7. These include limiting the number of people allowed at outdoor gatherings to 500, though fairs and festivals could be allowed to operate above that limit with protocols approved by public health. Museums and galleries can reopen Sept. 7 but must require proof of vaccination from visitors to access indoor areas. Weddings in licensed premises as of Sept. 7 will require guests to show proof of vaccination. Food courts will also require proof of vaccination if they choose to allow people to dine in as well as take out.
Beginning Sept. 3, only vaccinated people and children under 12 will be able to go to movie theatres, dine at restaurants, or go to casinos, bingo halls and VLT lounges, as well as to indoor and outdoor ticketed sporting events and concerts, fitness centres and gyms, and indoor recreation facilities and classes, apart from youth recreational sports. Unvaccinated children can attend these places and events as long as they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.
“We must continue to take steps to encourage people to be fully immunized before attending higher-risk events, activities and services because we know – and the data is showing us – that when people get vaccinated it helps slow the spread of the virus,” said chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin in a press release regarding new public health orders. “We must continue to be vigilant and follow the basics, or more drastic restrictions will be needed to keep us all safe.”
