WINNIPEG - Manitoba has announced its first confirmed case of COVID-19.
Health Minister Cameron Friesen says a woman who recently travelled to the Philippines has tested positive for coronavirus.
He says the woman is isolated at home.
Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin says the province was prepared to rapidly respond.
He says the amount of testing has significantly increased and international travellers are encouraged to self monitor and get tested.
Roussin says it's time for people in Manitoba to begin social-distancing strategies — such as not shaking hands and avoiding crowded events — to limit chances of being exposed.
The Manitoba government announced earlier this week that it's spending about $35 million on personal protective supplies such as gloves, face masks and hand sanitizer for patients and health-care workers.
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease a pandemic on Thursday.