COVID-19 Staff News - March 3, 2021
Today I can confirm that Manitoba will be delaying the second dose. This is true no matter which vaccine we are talking about. This approach will help us immunize more eligible Manitobans sooner and this will help to protect us all.

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead, Vaccine Implementation Task Force
Today's Counts

# of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba: 32,000
# of new cases today: 50
# of new cases yesterday: 56 
# of people currently hospitalized: 186
# of people with/recovering from COVID-19 in ICU: 24
# of active cases: 1,146
# of cases with confirmed variant of concern: 6: B.1.1.7, 2: B.1.351
# of individuals recovered: 29,953 
# of COVID-19 related deaths: 901
# of cases in IERHA: 3 today, 154 active, 2,234 recovered
5-day-test positivity rate: 3.8% today, 4% yesterday
 
In the news

State of emergency expanded
The Manitoba government is extending the provincewide state of emergency to continue its efforts in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. Read more

New public health orders in effect March 5
Following a request for public feedback on a variety of proposed changes to the current public health orders, the Manitoba government is moving forward to reopen some activities and services. Read more

Payments to businesses affected by COVID-19 continue
Through a third round of payments, the province will provide up to $67 million in immediate support to eligible small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profits and charities impacted by the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. This brings the total program investment to $215 million, which is $15 million above the province’s original commitment of $200 million. Read more


Vaccine related news

Manitoba delaying second dose of vaccine for new appointments
Manitoba will follow National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) guidance in terms of how long the second dose can be delayed. It could be as long as four months compared to three or four weeks that is the current guideline for timing of dose two. Real world vaccine data is showing the first dose is protective 70-80 per cent as far as two months after vaccination. Longer timelines are not readily available as the vaccine is so new. If there are signs that immunity starts to decrease after two months, the vaccine implementation task force will pivot to adopt best scientific understanding as it becomes available and apply that learning to Manitoba's COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

From other vaccines, it is seen that a delay of a dose can either have no impact or a positive impact on the immune response. Our immune system will most likely respond either the same way as with a second dose timed earlier or with a greater immune response with a delay in dose delivery.

Dr. Reimer advises the task force was adhering to manufacturer recommendations regarding second dose timing as it was unknown how long to expect the immune response to last from the first dose to second dose and it was also unknown how much immunity would be attained. She advises the task force is concerned with what happens between first and second dose and data is showing we're well protected with the first dose.

More on AstraZeneca
When it's available, AstraZeneca will be administered only to people between 18 and 64 years of age. Early data from AstraZeneca real world studies are showing efficacy on par with Pfizer.

What vaccine would you choose if offered a choice?
Clinical and real world studies have shown all vaccines currently approved in Canada to be effective in preventing COVID-19. People who are immunized are much less likely to become infected and are more likely to have less severe symptoms if they do become infected. Data on vaccines is growing all the time and they continue to be closely monitored world wide. More is known about vaccine safety than any other medical intervention in the world. The small number of reactions that occur following immunization, that may or may not be related to vaccine administration, are reported nationally. The increase in the types and overall supply of the vaccine is a good thing. Dr. Reimer advises be immunized as soon as you are eligible with the vaccine that is available to you.

Vaccine Operations

Delaying second dose should increase the speed with which Manitobans can access vaccination
The shift to delay second dose immunizations will shift vaccine operations. While there is good understanding of how much vaccine will be available to Canada in the next three months, there is not yet good understanding on when that vaccine will be shipped to Manitoba. Once that information is available, projections as to timing when people can expect to be vaccinated will be publicized.

Existing second dose appointments being respected
Appointments for second dose appointments at supersites will be respected. Current advice is for people to receive a second dose of the same product as their first dose but if information arises to suggest there is merit to mix vaccines that will be taken into consideration.

Work underway to identify chronic conditions that would warrant prioritization of access to vaccination based on health risk that COVID poses
The vaccine implementation task force is working with a large group of medical specialists to fine tune the list of medical conditions that would warrant people living with these conditions being identified as high risk and elevated in priority for vaccine eligibility. Populations of note include people who are on dialysis and those who have liver failure to the point that they now have cirrhosis. These people generally experience more severe outcomes such as hospitalization or death when infected with COVID-19 compared to the general population.

Vaccinations will become more widely accessible
Eventually Manitobans will have hundreds of options for securing a vaccine from local pharmacists, primary care providers, pop-up vaccination sites, Focused Immunization Teams and supersites. Dr. Reimer and operations lead, Johanu Botha, delivered a vaccine technical briefing today. This briefing does not reflect timing associated with the second dose delay announced today but it does include information on vaccine status and anticipated approvals of vaccines being evaluated. See their presentation

Eligible members of the public have started booking appointments for March 8 at the Selkirk supersite.
If anyone should ask you where they should go, we have posted driving directions online in an effort to reduce the number of people visiting Selkirk Regional Health Centre by mistake. The Selkirk supersite is located in the former Selkirk and District General Hospital that is further south on Easton drive. Read more
Appointments and Eligibility Criteria 
Eligibility is being expanded again today to include:
  • 89 years of age and older (NEW: expanded from born on or before Dec. 31, 1930)
  • 69 years of age and older for First Nation people (NEW: expanded from born on or before Dec. 31, 1950)

Those eligible can call (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC) for an appointment. Everyone who calls is screened to ensure they meet current eligibility criteria before booking an appointment. See current eligibility criteria
Vaccine Supply and Distribution 
To date, a total of 124,840 doses of vaccine have been delivered to Manitoba. This includes: 
• 95,940 doses of Pfizer vaccine; and 
• 28,900 doses of the Moderna vaccine.  

New PPE frequently asked questions now posted
Question: If staff are in a kitchen or similar environment and physical distancing is not possible, is a cloth mask acceptable? Is a procedure mask necessary?
This question and many more regarding proper use of PPE are posted online with answers. It's worth a read. And if you didn't know: A procedure mask and eye protection are required if physical distancing is not able to be maintained. If all staff are wearing a procedure mask, eye protection is not required.  
IERHA Occupational Safety & Health
 
All staff members can contact the Occupational Health Nurse by emailing COVID19OCCHEALTH@IERHA.CA or by calling 1-844-940-1993. This email and toll-free phone number are monitored Monday - Friday, 0800-1600 hours.

On-call coverage for weekends and holidays will be from 0800h-1600h for COVID-19 related issues and emergencies. 

 
Phone: 1-844-940-1993
 
For general guidance, contact Health Links at 1-888-315-9257. 

Regional screening/testing activity
Selkirk
Mon-Sat, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
100 Easton Drive

Wednesday, March 3
48 swabbed
Tuesday, March 2
42 swabbed
Monday, March 1
66 swabbed
CLOSED SUNDAY
Saturday, Feb. 27
23 swabbed
Friday, Feb. 26
44 swabbed
Thursday, Feb. 25
36 swabbed
Wednesday, Feb. 24
42 swabbed
Eriksdale
Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
35 Railway Ave. (Wellness Cnt.)

Wednesday, March 3
3 swabbed
Tuesday, March 2
7 swabbed
Monday, March 1
10 swabbed

CLOSED WEEKENDS

Friday, Feb. 26
2 swabbed
Thursday, Feb. 25
2 swabbed
Wednesday, Feb. 24
4 swabbed
Powerview-Pine Falls
Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
37 Maple St. 

Wednesday, March 3
5 swabbed
Tuesday, March 2
13 swabbed
Monday, March 1
6 swabbed

CLOSED WEEKENDS

Friday, Feb. 26
9 swabbed
Thursday, Feb. 25
9 swabbed
Wednesday, Feb. 24
17 swabbed
Arborg
323 Sunset Blvd.
This COVID-19 testing site is operated by Dynacare. More details.
Visit the Shared Health website for updates and new information.

Your Infection Prevention and Control Team
The Infection Prevention and Control team will no longer be on call. The need for on call will be reevaluated based on provincial and regional COVID-19 activity. 

IP&C Manager, Patrice Lee
P: (204) 467-3386, C: (204) 461-0421 plee@ierha.ca
Trina Dillon
IP&C Coordinator
Phone: (204) 467-4764
Fax: (204) 785-4874
 
  • Community and long term care liaison
  • Antibiotic Resistant Organism Surveillance (AROS) - acute care 
  • Health-care Associated Infection (HAI) surveillance - long term care
  • Beausejour Hospital
  • Beausejour East Gate Lodge PCH
  • Gimli Johnson Memorial Hospital
  • Lac Du Bonnet PCH
  • Lundar PCH
  • Pinawa Hospital
  • Pine Falls Hospital
  • Pine Falls Sunnywood PCH
  • Stonewall Dr. Evelyn Memorial Hospital
  • Stonewall Rosewood PCH
  • Teulon Hunter Memorial Hospital
  • Teulon Goodwin Lodge
  • Whitemouth PCH
  • Resource to affiliate PHCs: Red River, Tudor House & Betel 
Amanda Preachuk
IP&C Coordinator
Phone (204) 785-4034
Fax: (204) 785-4874
 
  • Hand hygiene lead
  • EMS liaison
  • Outbreak planning and influenza lead
  • Surgical surveillance
  • Dialysis – Hodgson & Berens
  • Arborg Hospital
  • Arborg PCH
  • Ashern Lakeshore General Hospital
  • Ashern PCH
  • Eriksdale E.M. Crowe Memorial Hospital
  • Eriksdale PCH
  • Fisher Branch PCH
  • Oakbank Kin Place PCH
  • Selkirk Regional Health Centre
  • Resource to affiliate PHCs: Red River, Tudor House & Betel