The latest Manitoban to succumb to #COVID19 is a Winnipeg man in his 50s who was infected with the B117 variant.
Roussin, noting the increase in cases over the past month and the rise in hospitalizations this weekend, is once again imploring Manitobans to avoid each other and stay home as much as possible.
Average daily case count (seven-day average) rises to 248 today.
Roussin reminds Manitobans garage sales are illegal right now.
Roussin reminds Manitobans campsites are treated as private residences and you can't have guests to your campsite under the current public health order.
Roussin says transmission is widespread. Continues to blame gatherings, but says it's also spreading at places of worship, worlplaces and schools.
Social gatherings remain the main vector, though.
There are now 106 patients of all diagnoses (COVID and non-COVID) in ICU.
Normal capacity is 71.
Total ICU patient numbers are up 12 in a week.
Roussin asked what the trigger point is to close schools now that variants spread faster.
Roussin says there is no point when kids are still allowed to socialize outside schools.
[Context: Schools didn't close province-wide in the fall at 15 per cent test-positivity but did close in Hanover at 40 per cent.
But we now have variants.]
Roussin acknowledges anecdotal reports that COVID tests are now talking days to process instead of 24-30 hours, due to higher test volumes.
He doesn't have the current average test turn-around time at hand.
Roussin asked why not lock down like Nova Scotia.
Says more restrictions could arrive.
That is it for today.
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The province is running 11 more "pop-up" vaccine clinics this week.
Arborg (Arborg-Bifrost CC): May 4
Winnipeg (Notre Dame Avenue): May 4-6
The Pas (Roy Johnston Arena): May 5
Beausejour (Brokenhead River RC): May 6
Portage la Prairie (Herman Prior Centre): May 6
Steinbach (Pat Porter Centre): May 6
Eriksdale (Eriksdale RC): May 6
Russell (George Buleziuk Centre): May 6
Swan River (Veterans Hall): May 6
Flin Flon (Community Hall): May 6-7
Pine Falls-Powerview (Ecole Powerview): May 7
Update: The Pallister government says Providence has not been paid.
"Manitoba’s agreement with Providence Therapeutics has not been finalized and, as such, no payments have been made."
"While Providence is the developer of the vaccine, their Canadian partners Northern RNA and Emergent Biosolutions remain an integral part Providence’s vaccine production plans ..."