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The province of Manitoba declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Neepawa Health Centre on Monday, November 8, but the story starts before that. Based on reports from individuals close to the scene, the hospital began locking down on Saturday afternoon to enact security protocols related to minimizing the spread of the virus. Similar outbreaks have taken place at other facilities throughout the province for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is the first for Neepawa.

No further details were available until Eoin Devereux of the Neepawa Banner & Press received information from Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) this morning.

As of this time, there are 15 confirmed cases of the virus in the facility, 13 patients and two staff members. Ths hospital is closed to non-emergent services and maternity care, but has safety protocols in place to continue to receive emergency care cases if necessary. No visitors to the facility are being permitted.

One of the primary concerns of PMH at this time is ensuring that the outbreak does not spread to Country Meadows Personal Care Home. That facility is also now closed to visitors and is only allowing designated family caregivers, as well as cancelling congregate meals and group activities.

Devereux stresses that this information is not intended to cause alarm for anyone in the area. Neepawa Health Centre and PMH have acted very quickly in containing this outbreak, and the Neepawa Banner & Press as well as NACTV will keep residents informed about any further information.

“I don’t want people to hear these numbers and to hear what’s going on at the health centre and the precautions that are being taken care of at the personal care home and be fearful,” says Devereux. “Don’t be afraid until there’s a reason to be afraid, and right now that’s not that time.”