Manitoba Introduces New Restrictions to Combat Rising COVID-19 Cases

Once again, Manitoba is later than other provinces coming into this wave of the virus, but public health indicates the province is now firmly into the fourth wave. While the Southern Health region, which has the lowest vaccine uptake of any area in the province, is leading the surge, cases are rising in all regions.

Dr. Brent Roussin shares modelling data that shows the current trajectory of increasing numbers of cases, hospital visits and ICU admissions that the province may see without further restrictions, particularly in the Southern Health region.

Monica Warren, Provincial COVID Operations Chief, indicates that the strain on the healthcare system due to the rising numbers will have an unavoidable impact on non-COVID care. The province has been making an effort to create more capacity within Manitoba to avoid sending patients out of province as in the last wave.

The new restrictions today aren’t as extensive as some we’ve in previous waves, but with over 84% of Manitobans now vaccinated, the province is taking a more targeted approach with restrictions.

Capacity limits for faith-based gatherings in the Southern Health region are now restricted to 25 people, unless the facility can be physically divided into cohorts in which case the total number of occupants cannot exceed 25% of capacity. In facilities where all attendees provide proof of double vaccination, those new restrictions do not apply.

Province-wide, proof of at least one dose of the vaccine, or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event, will be required to participate in indoor recreational sports for youth aged 12 to 17. There will be a grace period on this restriction, which will go into effect on December 5th.

All other existing public health orders continue to apply.