Both Manitoba and Saskatchewan have seen their confirmed and presumptive cases of Covid-19 double.
Manitoba has recorded 15 cases and Saskatchewan 16 as of March 18.
At least six of the seven Manitoba cases reported the day before are related to travel and information is pending on the seventh.
The government said more than 2,100 patients have been screened at dedicated testing sites in Winnipeg, Thompson, Flin Flon and The Pas in the last six days.
A testing site at Brandon Regional health Centre opened March 18 and more locations are expected.
These are not walk-in clinics; the public should call Health Links at 1-888-315-9257 to determine whether they should be tested.
Manitobans are reminded that gatherings of more than 50 people should be cancelled. Schools and licensed child-care centres are closed until at least April 10.
In Saskatchewan, 15 of the 16 cases are self-isolating at home while one is in the hospital for reasons not related to the virus.
“This is a critical time for all individuals and organizations to ensure that they are practicing social distancing, staying home whenever possible and absolutely staying home when you are ill, even with mild symptoms,” said the provincial chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab.
Saskatchewan released some details of who has been tested, the person’s age and where the person had travelled.
These include a person in their 30s tested in Regina, a person in their 40s tested following close contact with a previously announced presumptive positive in the province, a person in their 20s tested in Saskatoon after travel to Tennessee, a person in their 20s tested in Saskatoon after travel to Oregon, Nevada and Edmonton, a person in Moose Jaw following travel to Vancouver, a person in their 40s tested in Saskatoon also after travel to Vancouver, and two people tested in Regina after travel from Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.
All individuals on Sunwing WG540 from Cancun to Regina and Sunwing WG496 from Cabo San Lucas, both on March 14, are asked to self-isolate and actively monitor for symptoms.
Contact karen.briere@producer.com
