COVID-19

Health Minister Jason Copping provided an update on the COVID-19 situation in Alberta. He says numbers continue to be trending downwards.

“I am pleased to share that almost all our indicators continue to trend downward. After a difficult fifth wave that brought so much uncertainty over the past few months. This is very welcome news,” said the Health Minister.  

He says there are 68 per cent fewer cases today compared to the beginning of February.

Here’s a look at the latest numbers for the past 24 hours:

In light of COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, the Lake of the Woods District Hospital has revised its visitation guidance.

In consultation with the Ontario government effective February 22, 2022, each patient will be allowed one designated visitor to visit. Visiting hours will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The City of Winnipeg is announcing its plans for changes to vaccine and mask requirements in anticipation of the loosening of Public Health Orders.

Dr. Brent Roussin and Premier Heather Stefanson announced on February 11 that they plan to lift proof of vaccination requirements effective March 1 and lift mask requirements and other restrictions effective March 15.

As of Wednesday, the number of Manitobans in ICU with COVID-19 is 29. This is down from 31 on Tuesday. The number of Manitobans in hospital with COVID-19 is 543. This is down from 553 on Tuesday. When it comes to hospitalizations and ICU admissions, provincial officials have indicated that many of those in hospital and ICU are there for other medical reasons but then also tested positive for COVID-19.

Three more deaths were reported in the province on Wednesday:

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 14 new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:

The Northwestern Health Unit says they’re considering additional public health measures as the region is seeing the highest COVID-19 case rates in the province.

At a meeting on Tuesday (February 22, 2022) Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health for the NWHU, says their catchment area’s COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 people is the highest in Ontario – and is five times higher than the provincial average.

“The region's seven-day positive case rate is 455.1 per 100,000 population, while Ontario as a whole sits at 90.7 per 100,000,” Young Hoon added.

Albertans will soon learn the fate of the remaining COVID-19 measures. 

In a Tweet Monday evening (Feb.21) , Premier Jason Kenney said there was “encouraging” data showing a steep drop in the COVID-19 omicron wave and that an announcement about moving to Phase two would come on Saturday. 

Visitors will once again be allowed to visit residents in Ontario’s long-term care homes.

More COVID-19 public health measures were lifted on Monday that will now allow additional visitors in long-term care homes. As well, adult day programming and external care services can now resume.

As of February 21, general visitors five years and older who have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to resume visits. The number of visitors able to visit will increase from two to three, including designated caregivers.

Shared Health says that changes are coming to how Manitobans visit healthcare facilities as public health orders loosen.

"Access will expand in phases beginning this week, though the timing of these changes may vary by health region and individual facility," Shared Health says in a press release. "The decision to expand visitation reflects recent changes to public health orders and takes into consideration current COVID-19 hospitalization rates and the number of active outbreaks at healthcare facilities."

The Ontario government says they’re hoping to remove COVID-19 vaccination mandates by March 1 for high-risk workplaces and businesses, including mandates for healthcare staff.