Today’s five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 42.6 per cent provincially. As of 9:30am on January 14, 2021, 1215 new cases of the virus have been identified. According to Dr. Jazz Awtal, Deputy Chief Public Health Officer, actual case numbers are estimated to be 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:

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 must bring proof of booking confirmation, via electronic or paper copy of confirmation email. Clients must also be present for their appointment. 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 14 new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:

  • a male in his 50s from the Interlake-Eastern health region (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 60 from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 70s from the Interlake-Eastern health region (reported Thursday);
  • a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 80s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud region (reported Thursday);
  • a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Thursday);
  • a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Fred Douglas Lodge (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Poseidon Care Centre (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 90s from the Interlake-Eastern health region (reported Thursday);
  • a female in her 60s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Friday);
  • a female in her 70s from the Interlake-Eastern health region (reported Friday);
  • a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg (reported Friday);
  • a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg (reported Friday); and
  • a female in her 90s from Southern Health-Santé Sud (reported Friday).

Outbreaks

Outbreaks have been declared at:

  • Grace Hospital, 3 North, Winnipeg;
  • Health Sciences Centre, unit GA3, Winnipeg;
  • Calvary Place, Winnipeg;
  • Park Manor personal care home, Winnipeg;
  • Charleswood Care Centre personal care home, Winnipeg;
  • Victoria General Hospital, 4 South, Winnipeg;
  • Luther Home, Winnipeg;Children’s Hospital, unit CK5, Winnipeg;
  • St. Claude Personal Care Home, St. Claude;
  • Crocus Court Personal Care Home, Roblin;
  • Villa Youville Inc. Ste. Anne; and
  • Red River Place personal care home, Selkirk.

Outbreaks have been declared over at:

  • Children’s Hospital, CH4 and CH5, Winnipeg.

Vaccine

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recently examined the interval between first and second doses for children ages 5 to 11 to determine if a shorter interval would provide more protection against the virus, particularly with rising Omicron cases.

NACI determined that eight weeks was still the recommended interval. Manitoba’s Pediatric Vaccine Advisory Committee also re-assessed this recommendation and reaffirmed its guidance of eight weeks between first and second doses. Public health has also maintained this recommendation.

Provincial clinics, doctor’s offices, pharmacies, community clinics and public health will continue to reiterate this recommendation. However, in some circumstances it may be possible to shorten the duration between first and second doses for this age group to a minimum of 21 days.

Parents are encouraged to discuss their concerns with a health professional before arriving for their appointment. Clinic staff will discuss individual circumstances to determine next steps for those who request an early second dose.

As of today, a total of 64,328 first doses have been given to children ages five to 11, or 51.4 per cent of that age group.

When attending a vaccine appointment, people are reminded to bring their completed consent form (available online at protectmb.ca), wear a short-sleeved shirt, wear a well-fitting mask and bring their health card or other form of identification. To help support good physical distancing on site, people should arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time.

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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