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.

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

A male in his 80s from Southern Health-Santé Sud (reported Saturday);
A male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Saturday);
A male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Saturday);
A female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Saturday);
A male in his 50s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Saturday);
A male in his 100s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Meadowood Manor personal care home (reported Saturday);
A male in his 90s from the Prairie Mountain Health region and linked to the outbreak at St. Paul’s home (reported Saturday);
A female in her 40s from the Northern health region (reported Saturday);
A male in his 70s from the Prairie Mountain Health (reported Saturday);
A female in her 80s from the Northern health region (reported Saturday);
A male in his 70s from Interlake-Eastern health region (reported Sunday);
A male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Sunday);
A male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre (reported Sunday);
A female in her 80s from Interlake-Eastern health region and linked to the outbreak at Tudor House (reported Sunday);
A male in his 70s from Interlake-Eastern health region and linked to the outbreak at Rosewood Lodge (reported Sunday);
A male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Victoria General Hospital, 4 North, (reported Sunday);
A female in her 70s from Interlake-Eastern health region (reported Sunday);
A male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Monday); and
A male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Monday).

One death reported Sunday has been removed as, after investigation, it was determined not to be COVID-19 related.

In total, the province is reporting 188 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing Manitoba's total active case count to 14,938. There are 633 total COVID-19 hospitalizations in Manitoba, 415 of which are active cases. As well, there are 40 COVID-related ICU patients in the province - 26 of which are active cases. The provincial test positivity rate is 22.3%

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/

Based on provincial data, public health officials are highlighting the following trends for the week ending Feb. 10. Over the past week, Manitoba saw:

258 new hospitalizations, a 12.2 per cent decrease from the previous week;
30 new ICU cases, an 11.8 per cent decrease from the previous week; and
2696 cases, a 27.5 per cent decrease from the previous week.

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.

Outbreaks

Outbreaks declared over at:

Grace Hospital, 3 North, Winnipeg;
Hillcrest Place personal care home, Brandon; and
Douglas Campbell Lodge personal care home, Portage la Prairie.

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. 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 go ahead and schedule a booster dose appointment.

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 72,970 first doses have been given to children ages five to 11, or 58.4 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/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.