COVID-19 hospitalizations projected at high rates for coming weeks

Government projections show COVID-19 hospitalizations in Manitoba are expected to remain unsustainably high for several weeks.

New modelling data suggest intensive-care admissions could stay at severe levels for some time even without taking into consideration the effect of variants that are more contagious and could make patients sicker.

However, case counts and testing volumes are on the decline, indicating diminished spread of the virus.

Dr. Jazz Atwal, deputy chief provincial public health officer, says public health officials are still learning how more infectious variants such as the Delta variant will affect Manitoba's infection and hospitalization rates.