65 new cases, 1 COVID-19 death announced in Manitoba Monday
Manitoba health officials are reporting 65 new cases of COVID-19 and one new death on Monday.
Announced in a news conference Monday, Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer also gave details on three other deaths, which occurred over the weekend.
Three of the deaths are from the Winnipeg health region and are linked to the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) Variant of Concern. One of the deaths was a man in his 40s, one was a man in his 60s and one was a man in his 80s.
The third death is a man in his 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, also linked to the alpha variant of concern.
The COVID-19 death toll now sits at 1,151 in Manitoba.
Along with the deaths, the province saw 65 new cases and removed one due to a data error, bringing the total to 56,482.
The Winnipeg Health Region had the highest number of new cases, with 35. The five-day test positivity rate in the city is now 6.3 per cent.
Of the remaining cases, five came from the Southern Health Region, five cases were in the Northern Health Region, nine cases were in the Interlake-Eastern Health Region, and 11 were in the Prairie Mountain Health Region.
Manitoba currently has 1,022 active cases and 54,309 people have recovered.
Since July 2, 177 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Manitoba.
There are currently 156 Manitobans being treated in hospitals with COVID-19 in Manitoba and in neighbouring provinces.
According to Monday’s update, 63 patients are in Manitoba hospitals with active cases of COVID-19, including 16 people in ICU. Another 87 people are no longer infectious but still require care, including 24 in intensive care.
Six patients are also being treated in intensive care units outside of the province, all of them in Ontario.
On Saturday, 1,126 tests were completed, bringing the total to 837,004 tests given since February 2020.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
In the news conference, Dr. Roussin hinted at what Manitobans can expect in the coming months.
"So looking at other jurisdictions that have had high vaccine rates, we can see that perhaps this pandemic's days are numbered. (There is) Certainly reason to be hopeful considering Manitoba's vaccine uptake," he said.
Roussin said as cases continue to drop, the province won't be reporting daily on case numbers and other data. He also mentioned that a post-pandemic Manitoba wouldn't have any public health restrictions.
"Our ability to reopen businesses, services, facilities, to gather with each other once again relies on Manitobans getting those two vaccines," said Roussin. "Immunization is key to a post-pandemic Manitoba."
Roussin said he is confident the province will keep meeting its reopening targets.
"It definitely ahead of schedule for our targets," said Roussin. "I think it's quite hopeful to see how quickly we can come close to these targets. Given the dates we had set forth, we are looking at continuing to be ahead of schedule."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Albertans head to polls in what's expected to be very close election between UCP, NDP
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.

Singh calling for foreign interference special rapporteur Johnston to step aside
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is pushing for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside' from his role examining the issue of foreign interference before he embarks on public hearings.
New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China
New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan said Monday that Canada's spy agency has confirmed her long-held belief she is being targeted by the Chinese government, as the prime minister granted the NDP's wish to allow more party members to review top-secret intelligence.
Canadian parliamentarians condemn Uganda's recently passed anti-homosexuality law
Canadian political leaders and parliamentarians are denouncing a new law passed in Uganda that imposes harsh penalties, including the death penalty, for certain cases involving homosexuality.
Northern B.C., Alberta and all of Ontario under 'high' to 'extreme' wildfire risk: What to know
There's a heightened risk of wildfires across the country during what has been one of the earliest fire seasons on record. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, here's where the risk is highest.
Free prescription drugs could reduce overall health-care costs in Canada: study
Overall health-care costs could be reduced in Canada by providing free prescription drugs to patients, according to a new study.
'Tragedies occur far too often': Canada Safety Council shares swimming safety tips
With the summer swimming season fast approaching, the Canada Safety Council is reminding people to be careful and take measures to prevent drowning, especially after three children died just days apart.
Provinces must seek anti-smoking measures in Big Tobacco settlement: health groups
Three national health organizations want Canada's premiers to push for initiatives to reduce smoking during settlement negotiations with major tobacco companies, years after provinces sued to recoup health-care costs.
B.C. woman Madison Scott found dead 12 years after being reported missing
Exactly 12 years after she was reported missing, police announced Madison Scott was found dead in central B.C.