Manitoba's top doctor is calling it a time of transition in our province. That is how Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin is referring to the current status of the pandemic.

On March 12, 2020, Manitoba had its first case of COVID-19. He notes today, provincial and regional vaccine sites are no longer all necessary. Dr. Roussin says 18 of these sites will be closing this Sunday. Also, the vaccine sites in Brandon and Morden are now closed to the public, with other locations winding down in the weeks ahead.

"It's difficult to put into words how challenging these last two years have been for Manitobans," says Dr. Roussin.

He notes more than 1,700 Manitobans have died with COVID-19. For those left behind, they have been forced to mourn those losses much differently, without the community of care that is often relied upon. Others have suffered severe outcomes with lengthy recoveries. Dr. Roussin adds births, birthdays and graduations have gone uncelebrated, while many Manitoba businesses have been decimated. And, who can forget the toll this pandemic has taken on the mental health of Manitobans.

But, Dr. Roussin says through all of this, Manitobans have stepped up to limit the spread of the virus. They have limited the impact on our health care system by following public health orders, abiding by restrictions and getting vaccinated.

Since Tuesday, Manitoba has been in Level Green in the province's Pandemic Response System. As a result, Dr. Roussin says our approach has changed from public health measures to public health recommendations. But, one of the many harms that might not go away so quickly is the divide that has been created in society. Dr. Roussin says we can not wait for COVID-19 to be gone before we start that journey of healing.

"The first step on that journey could be as simple as just acknowledging that all Manitobans have undergone a very difficult time over these last two years," says Dr. Roussin.

He notes we may not have agreed on the best approach on public health measures and may have different opinions on the timing of the loosening of restrictions, but Dr. Roussin says we should be able to agree that all Manitobans have been faced with tremendous challenges and difficulties during these last two years.

"We sure can make it easier on each other if we show some respect, kindness, compassion for other people's decisions as we navigate this transition period," he says. "Now more than ever is that time for kindness and compassion."

Dr. Roussin says a big thank you to all Manitobans for what they have done these last two years to slow the spread and protect the health care system.