Today’s five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 27.3 per cent provincially. As of 9:30am on February 7, 2022, 258 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:

Based on provincial data, public health officials are highlighting the following trends for the week ending Feb. 3. Over the past week, Manitoba saw:

  • 286 new hospitalizations, a 19.2 per cent decrease from the previous week;
  • 34 new ICU cases, an 19 per cent decrease from the previous week; and
  • 3,301 cases, a 25.8 per cent decrease from the previous week.

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

  • Manitobans are reminded that COVID-19 treatments options are available for eligible patients. Early testing is key as treatment must begin within 5-7 days of symptoms developing. Manitobans are encouraged to seek testing as soon as symptoms develop and to contact their health care provider, doctor or Health Links-Info Santé if they meet the minimum eligibility criteria that include but are not limited to: 18 year or older, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, have a risk factor (smoking, diabetes) or chronic condition, or are fully vaccinated Manitobans with a risk factor or chronic condition may also be eligible for treatment. For full criteria, visit manitoba.ca.
  • People who requested a pan-Canadian proof of vaccination credential (PVC) this year may be experiencing QR code scanning issues. This is due to a technical issue with the federal software Manitoba used to produce PVCs that has affected approximately 12 per cent of PVCs issued after Dec. 31, 2021. The Manitoba Government is recommending that anyone who requested a PVC since Jan. 1, 2022 test their code with the Manitoba Immunization Verifier Application found at gov.mb.ca. If the QR code is unable to be scanned, Manitobans are encouraged to request a new QR code at gov.mb.ca. Please note that this impacts the PVC only and does not impact your Manitoba Immunization card (physical or digital).
  • 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 15 new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:

  • a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Saturday);
  • a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Saturday);
  • a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Actionmarguerite St. Vital (reported Saturday);
  • a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Sunday);
  • a female in her 80s from Southern Health-Santé Sud (reported Sunday);a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Sunday);
  • a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Holy Family personal care home (reported Sunday);
  • a male in his 100s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Fred Douglas Lodge (reported Sunday);
  • a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at St. Amant (reported Sunday);
  • a female in her 80s from Southern Health-Santé Sud (reported Sunday);
  • a male in his 70s from Interlake-Eastern health region (reported Monday);
  • a male in his 20s from the Northern health region (reported Monday);
  • a male in his 80s from Southern Health-Santé Sud (reported Monday);
  • a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Monday); and
  • a female in her 60s from the Prairie Mountain Health region (reported Monday).

Outbreaks

Outbreaks have been declared at:

  • Russell Health Centre, Russell.
  • Outbreaks have been declared over at:
  • Victoria General Hospital, unit 4 South, Winnipeg;
  • Bethesda Regional Health Centre, media unit, Steinbach;
  • Salem Home personal care home, Winkler; and
  • Fairview personal care home, Brandon.

Vaccine

Manitoba is adopting new guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for vaccinating youth ages 12 to 17 against COVID-19 and its variants.

Effective today, youth ages 12 to 17 should receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if they are, or if they might be, at a high risk of severe outcomes due to medical and/or social risk factors. The third dose will be offered at least six months after the second dose.

Several eligibility factors define who among this age group can get this booster:

  • underlying medical conditions, which put them at increased risk;
  • belonging to racialized or marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19;
  • living in shelters, group homes and correctional facilities; and
  • immunocompromised and have received three doses (so their next dose would be a fourth dose).

Neither the province nor NACI is recommending boosters for the general population of youth ages 12 to 17. Only those who meet the criteria outlined above are eligible.

Public health will continue to use Pfizer, to minimize the small risk associated with myocarditis and/or pericarditis. This inflammation of heart tissues is extremely rare and mild when it occurs after vaccination, and it almost always fully resolves without severe reaction. Preliminary safety data from the real-world use of boosters in teens showed no additional safety concerns.

If your child does not fit into the eligibility categories, but you still feel they should be immunized, please discuss your individual circumstances with your family doctor or pediatrician.

Delivering the second round of vaccines to children ages five 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 71,781 first doses have been given to children ages five to 11, or 57.4 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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