Officials are reporting 40 new cases of COVID-19, making this the province's highest daily count to date.

Manitoba's total is now 643. In Southern Health, there are currently 47 active cases, while 64 people have recovered and there have been two deaths recorded.

In total, 25 new cases were identified in the Prairie Mountain Health region Friday, five in the Southern Health region and 10 in the Winnipeg health region.

Officials say a majority of the new cases are linked to previously announced cases in Brandon, providing early indications of community transmission.

Currently, in the province there are nine people in hospital, three in intensive care, 246 active cases and 389 individuals who have recovered. The number of deaths remains at eight.

Testing numbers show an additional 2,288 laboratory tests were completed on Thursday, bringing the total number of tests completed since early February to 110,492.

 

Unless recommended by public health, only individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should go for testing, officials say. Individuals with symptoms are asked to seek testing as soon as possible once symptoms are present.

Public health officials are advising of two potential exposure to COVID-19 may have occurred. The first potential exposure was on Aug. 7 at the Sobey’s at 1570 18th St. in Brandon and Aug. 10 at the Minnedosa Hospital at 334 First St.

The second exposure is on Aug. 9 at the Cartwright Town and Country Golf Club, along PTH 3, just west of Cartwright.

While the risk of transmission is considered low, information is being provided to help people assess their risk and seek testing if symptoms appear.