Flu, not coronavirus, should be top of mind for Manitobans: health minister

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This article was published 28/01/2020 (1830 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While repeating assurances the province is prepared for potential cases of the new coronavirus, Health Minister Cameron Friesen said the flu currently poses a greater health risk to Manitobans.

“Everyone should still be concerned about seasonal influenza,” Friesen told a news briefing Tuesday.

“There are things we can do to protect ourselves, and we’re asking people to do that. If they’re sick, stay home. Go get the flu vaccine. Wash your hands often.”

Friesen said while the public is concerned about the coronavirus, it should take comfort in knowing the system is organized and is responding appropriately — and the risk to Manitobans remains low.

British Columbia health officials reported Tuesday a man in his 40s from the Vancouver area is presumed to be infected with the coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed or presumptive cases in Canada to three.

China reported 25 more deaths Tuesday from the viral disease, raising the total to at least 106. Most of the deaths have occurred in the Wuhan area.

Global Affairs Canada announced Monday that Canadians should avoid all travel to Hubei province in China, where Wuhan is located.

Locally, paramedics and 911 operators have been directed to ask about a patient’s travel history if they have a fever or cough, or show flu-like symptoms or other signs of respiratory illness.

The province revealed Tuesday, out of an abundance of caution, two Manitobans with “uncertain travel histories” and symptoms compatible to that of the coronavirus were tested in recent days. Both tested negative for the virus and positive for the common cold.

There have been reports of medical masks flying off local store shelves in recent days — a sign of growing concern among Winnipeggers about the illness.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief provincial health officer, says donning a mask in public to avoid infection is unnecessary and “likely not to be effective.”

“We do not recommend that the general public rush out and buy masks or to wear them in public,” he said.

Friesen said while the health system has had to deal with the effects of the flu and other respiratory diseases in recent weeks, it is still capable of “marshalling additional resources” if the coronavirus were to arrive in Manitoba.

He said Manitobans should also take comfort that, with the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, they are assured of receiving test results promptly.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca