COVID-19 Bulletin #566

Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba is updated weekdays at 12:30 p.m. on these DataMB dashboards:

• Case data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/manitoba-covid-19/
• COVID-19 vaccination coverage: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/manitoba-covid-19-vaccinations-dashboard-1/

Manitoba continues to report on the recorded number of COVID-19 cases. However, it is important to note this data is limited and should be used with caution. It includes cases confirmed by a PCR test as well as rapid tests given by health-care professionals. Positive test results from rapid antigen tests, which people generally do at home, are not collected or reported. As a result, these numbers are an under-reporting of COVID-19 in the community.

Key Updates

• Only symptomatic individuals or those advised by public health should visit a COVID-19 provincial testing site. Rapid antigen tests will continue to be used for the majority of people visiting a provincial testing site. Those who are at higher risk of severe illness as well as some groups who have tested positive on a rapid antigen test will still be eligible for PCR testing. Detailed information on updated COVID-19 testing eligibility can be found at: https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/index.html.

Deaths

Public health officials advise seven new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:

• a male in his 80s from the Prairie Mountain Health region (reported Thursday);
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
• a male in his 80s from the Prairie Mountain Health region (reported Thursday);
• a male in his 60s from Southern Health-Santé Sud (reported Friday);
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Friday);
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Tuxedo Villa personal care home (reported Friday); and
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Victoria General Hospital (reported Friday).

The death of a male in his 70s from the Interlake-Eastern health region announced Monday has been removed after investigation determined it was not related to COVID-19.

Outbreaks

Outbreaks have been declared at:

• St.Amant, Winnipeg;
• Fisher Personal Care Home, Fisher Branch; and
• Ste. Rose General Hospital, Ste. Rose du Lac.

Outbreaks have been declared over at:

• Charleswood Care Centre personal care home, Winnipeg;
• Deer Lodge Centre, Lodge 2 West, Winnipeg;
• Grace General Hospital, 3 South, Winnipeg;
• Lions Prairie Manor, Portage la Prairie; and
• Eriksdale Personal Care Home, Eriksdale.

Vaccine

Manitobans who have been infected with COVID-19 are now recommended to wait two to three months after the infection before getting a booster dose. This recommendation follows the latest guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Manitobans are advised not to assume that recovery from an infection is sufficient for immunity. Those who prefer to get their booster dose sooner, or if their primary-care provider recommends a booster sooner, can schedule a booster dose appointment.

Delivering the second round of vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 is continuing in many locations including schools. Health Canada, NACI and public health recommend the second dose be administered eight weeks following the first dose.

As of today, a total of 72,678 first doses have been given to children ages five to 11, or 58.1 per cent of that age group.

Manitobans are encouraged to get their second and third doses as quickly as possible. While COVID-19 vaccine appointments continue to be available at regional or provincial vaccine clinics, for many people the fastest way to be immunized is at a nearby medical clinic, pharmacy or urban Indigenous clinic. Check the online vaccine finder or a medical clinic or pharmacy near you that provides the COVID-19 vaccine to find the next available opportunity to be immunized. The timeline between second and third doses and eligibility criteria information can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibility-criteria.html.

Eligible individuals can book their appointments online by calling (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC) or by contacting their local pharmacy or medical clinic directly. Visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.html for some of the available options.

More Resources

• Vaccine campaign in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca.
• Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.
• Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

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