Today’s five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 32.1 per cent provincially. As of 9:30am on January 28, 2021, 898 new cases of the virus have been identified. The province estimates that actual case numbers are eight to 10 times higher than reported due to the rapid spread of the omicron variant, which has overwhelmed testing capacity and led to many cases going unreported.

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

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

Appointments are available at the 820 Taylor Ave. location for rapid antigen test pickup to eligible Manitobans. Non-eligible people will be turned away. Clients are encouraged to bring proof of booking confirmation, but appointments can be confirmed onsite if needed. For more information about how to book an appointment and hours of operation at this and other sites, visit gov.mb.ca.

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 gov.mb.ca.

Deaths

Public health officials advise 23 new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:

  • a female in her 50s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a female in her 100s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Golden Links Lodge personal care home (reported Thursday);
  • a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Oakview Place personal care home (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Boyne Lodge (reported Thursday);
  • a female in her 100s from the Prairie Mountain Health region and linked to the outbreak at Hillcrest Place (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 90s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud and linked to the outbreak at Lions Prairie Manor (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 70s from the Prairie Mountain Health region and linked to the outbreak at Brandon Regional Health Centre (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Friday);
  • a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Friday);
  • a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Friday);
  • a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Middlechurch Home (reported Friday);
  • a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at West Park Manor personal care home (reported Friday);
  • a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre (reported Friday);
  • a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Middlechurch Home (reported Friday);
  • a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Middlechurch Home (reported Friday); and
  • a female in her 60s from the Northern health region (reported Friday).

Outbreaks

Outbreaks have been declared at:

  • Deer Lodge Centre, Lodge 2 west, Winnipeg; and
  • Riverview Health Centre, unit 3 East, Winnipeg;

Outbreaks have been declared over at:

  • Grace Hospital, unit 3 North, Winnipeg;
  • Health Science Centre, units GH4, GA3 and GA4, Winnipeg; and
  • Misericordia Health Centre, unit C6, Winnipeg.

Vaccine

The RBC provincial vaccine clinic is open for walk-in appointments.

Manitobans who are eligible for a third dose, or booster, are urged to get one. The booster dose is readily available to everyone over age 18 in Manitoba. It is most important that those who are age 50 and over get immunized with a third dose right away, because this age group is experiencing – and will continue to experience – more severe outcomes, including hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths.

Manitobans who live in First Nations communities, have diabetes or are immunocompromised are urged to get a third dose. A complete listing of the medical conditions that would classify a person as immunocompromised can be found at protectmb.ca.

Delivering the second round of vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 is continuing in many locations, including schools. It is recommended by Health Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and public health that the second dose be administered eight weeks following the first dose.

As of today, a total of 69,757 first doses have been given to children ages five to 11, or 55.8 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 manitoba.ca.

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 gov.mb.ca for some of the available options.

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