MANITOBA COVID-19 UPDATE APR. 13:
- 4 new cases
- total is now 246
- 4 deaths (woman 60s, man 50s, man 60s, man 70s)
- 8 hospitalizations, 4 in ICU
- 99 recoveries (143 active cases)
- 17,245 tests done
- 32 tests completed yesterday

Low testing numbers, Roussin said, reflect the low demand on Easter Sunday.

Breaking: The current public health orders are being extended until April 28.

All the same rules apply as the current ones. Bars, eating in restaurants, etc, will remain shuttered.

Gatherings of 10 people or less remains in place.

Here is the province's notes on the public health order extension.

Roussin said the restrictions will not be in place forever, but need now is to double the efforts.

Roussin said any let up right now could wipe out the progress that the province has made in the fight against COVID-19.

Q&A portion beginning.

On PPEs...

Guidelines worked on over the weekend. Donation support has been tremendous, Siragusa said. She says the province is in a better spot than it was last week. Anticipation is that they will be OK.

Roussin said extension today of public health orders made sure there was no gap. Tightening the measures still on the table.

Roussin said results of the enhanced messaging about the Easter/Passover weekend won't be known for 7-13 days. That is when we would see a spike in cases.

*14 days.

On rapid COVID-19 tests?

Roussin says they are looking at starting to validate one of the two tests tomorrow. While approved, they need to see how the lab can handle it.

Validation will take place at an acute care facility in the city.

Rapid tests will be used in hospitals to find out ASAP on tests. Also in remote areas.

A recovery is outlined as 14-days removed from onset of symptoms plus being asymptomatic.

Roussin said that there will likely be a enhancement of the public health orders later this week to double the efforts in the fight against the virus.

Why not extend current public health orders past end of April?

Degree will change, including on social distancing. Roussin doesn't expect degree of social distancing to last into the summer.

Testing expansion will happen if necessary.

2,500 health-care workers have been tested. No further positive tests.

Siragusa says that PCHs and other LTC facilities have the PPE they need. If not, they need to get in touch.

When public health orders are eventually relaxed, businesses will be the first that the relaxation will apply to.

Roussin asked about increased in misinformation and what can the province do to clamp down on it?

Misinformation can cause significant damage to our efforts going forward, Roussin said. Points to province's website, daily briefings for credible info.

Roussin says we need to fight against this information. It's a barrier in the response to the outbreak.

Actively working on modelling, hope to have it in the next week or two.

Inter-hospital transfers are only tested if symptoms are showing.

Roussin not letting the cat out of the bag in terms of any tighten restrictions. He doesn't want to speak on specifics until they are nailed down.

Roussin says 26 people have died from the seasonal flu in Manitoba.

Presser is now over.