On the morning of March 12, public health officials announced the first positive diagnosis for COVID-19 in Manitoba.

“A woman in her 40s who lives in the area of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has tested positive for COVID-19,” reads a news bulletin put out at approximately 11:00 a.m. by the Province of Manitoba. “At this time, it appears the individual was exposed to the virus through recent travel to the Philippines. The individual is recovering at home in stable condition.”

While officials investigate further to determine if other individuals have come into contact with this patient, they are advising all Manitobans to be more mindful of personal hygiene and practice social distancing strategies to stem the spread of the illness.

So far, the province has conducted more than 400 tests for COVID-19. However, the discovery of one positive specimen is likely indicative of further undetected cases in the region, since the virus has a long incubation period, about two weeks, during which time a person may be contagious without showing symptoms.

The vast majority of COVID-19 cases are mild, although older adults (those over 65 years of age) and people with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to more severe medical outcomes.

The news has been inundated with increasingly dire reports over the past few days, from the cancellation of public gatherings and concerts to conferences and festivals. Many sporting events have been postponed, suspended, or cancelled outright, including the current NHL and NBA seasons. Major League Baseball has also delayed training camp and the start of their 2020 season. The Juno Awards have been called off. Disneyland is closed. Celebrities like Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have been diagnosed with the illness and hospitalized. Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie are in self-isolation after she began experiencing mild symptoms upon returning from a recent trip to the UK.

Closer to home, the Niverville Chamber of Commerce has cancelled their annual general meeting, which had been scheduled for next week.

It would be easy for people to start getting swept away by the panic of the escalating situation.

“It’s not a panic,” says Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck. “I mean, that’s the message: it’s not a panic.”

Dyck says that he is meeting with the CAO of the Heritage Centre tomorrow morning, following which more updates may be made available.

“I’m just thinking about the personal care home and our seniors in particular, who may be some of the most vulnerable,” he says. “If you do think you’re having symptoms, [calling] Health Links is your best place to go. As far as other things we’re doing, we’re getting instructions and keeping in touch with our local regional health authority… But are we making any individual decisions aside from that? No, not at this point.”

“The town’s Local Emergency Response Control Group (LERCG), which oversees items emergent in nature, have been regularly meeting and discussing potential topics that may impact our community, and COVID-19 is one such item,” adds Niverville CAO Eric King. “The LERCG has been developing a strategy of continuity for staffing and service in all major areas of service that the town is responsible for maintaining. The future of what COVID-19 will bring to our region is still very much unknown but the team has developed a range of plans depending on the impact to our community, our residents, our staff and our functions. The town will provide more information as the situation changes locally otherwise we look to and are following the lead of the regional health authority and the province and suggest all residents of Niverville follow their guidelines closely.

Public Health Measures 

The recommended public health measures, according to the Province of Manitoba press release, include: “minimizing prolonged (more than 10 minutes), close (less than two metres) contact between other individuals in public; avoiding greetings that involve touching such as handshakes; disinfecting frequently used surfaces; following public health advice related to self-monitoring and self-isolation if you have travelled or have been exposed to someone ill with the virus; and considering avoiding travel, crowded places and events, especially if you are at higher risk.”

Personal hygiene recommendations include washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective. People should also be mindful to cough and sneeze into their sleeves, and also disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Another piece of key advice is to avoid touching one’s eyes, nose, and mouth, since these are the main points of infection. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to these points where it enters the body.

Schools and educational institutions are being advised to closely monitor the situation by ensuring that any staff or students who fall ill both stay home and are supported during their period of self-isolation to ensure they don’t fall behind in their studies. Activities that involve large groups are being reduced, while the distance between students’ desks is being increased. The province is also urging schools to consider implementing virtual or online classrooms when possible.

Elsewhere in Canada, the Province of Ontario has made the decision to close all public schools for two weeks following the upcoming March break. There are no indications yet that similar measures are being considered in Manitoba.

“Employers should review their business continuity plans and take steps to ensure their employees can stay home when ill, without facing barriers such as the requirement for sick notes; and work from home if possible,” the press release adds. “Employers should also consider discontinuing non-essential work related travel outside of Manitoba and encouraging virtual meetings to reduce prolonged, close contact between individuals.”

On the individual level, people are strongly advised to review their upcoming travel plans and reconsider them, given the evolving risk of contagion in many parts of the world.

Beyond that, the best course of action, in terms of social distancing, is to stay home as much as possible over the coming days and weeks to limit one’s personal exposure. 

Personal Health Concerns 

If you are experiencing symptoms that you expect could indicate a COVID-19 infection, the best course of action is to call Health Links, where you can discuss your symptoms with a public health nurse.

Two screening locations have been set up in Winnipeg for people directed by Health Links to get tested. These are Access Winnipeg West (280 Booth Drive, near the Grace Hospital) and Access Fort Garry (135 Plaza Drive, near the corner of Pembina and Bishop Grandin). These screening centres will be open weekdays until 7:00 p.m. as well as weekends until 4:00. After-hours testing will be available at urgent care sites and emergency departments.

So far, no community screening locations have been announced outside of Winnipeg.

“People living outside Winnipeg who are concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links for further information,” says the press release. The nurse will then direct patients about the proper course of action to take.

“The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough,” according to the World Health Organization. “Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell… Around one out of every six people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.”

The Province of Manitoba has put in place several additional measures related to international travel.

“Travelers returning from Italy, Iran and the [Chinese] province of Hubei are asked to self-isolate for 14 days after departing the area,” the province says. “All returning international travellers should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after returning to Canada.” 

Further Updates 

The Manitoba government will be releasing weekly COVID-19 update on Thursdays via the province’s website (link below). There is also a provincial coronavirus status page, maintained by the provincial government, to provide up-to-date information here. (See links below.)

Our local health authority, Southern Health-Santé Sud, is currently directing Manitobans to the information provided by the government.

“The Province is taking the lead on providing updates and answering questions about COVID-19,” says Alan Wiebe, media specialist for Southern Health. He emphasizes that people who are concerned about their exposure should contact Health Links.

Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Active Living reminds the public to “seek official sources of information to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate information is being used.”

And Southern Health points to the province’s website as one of these sources, calling it helpful, useful, and accurate.