Key takeaways:
- Since most Manitobans will be exposed to the variant soon, the province is shifting its focus away from COVID prevention and toward mitigating the threat of Omicron.
- She would not say whether public health suggested more stringent restrictions even before current public health measures were stretched.
- The province also reported 1,478 new cases, but this number is inaccurate due to changes in how the province collects COVID-19 case data.
According to health officials, the province is shifting its focus away from COVID prevention and toward mitigating the danger of Omicron since most Manitobans will be revealed to the variant shortly.
Premier Heather Stefanson, Health Minister Audrey Gordon, Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Jazz Atwal, and Dr. Joss Reimer, Head of the Vaccine Task Force, spoke to the press on Wednesday.
According to Atwal, most people will become infected shortly, and those at risk should get vaccinated and boosted if possible.
According to Manitoba statistics, not getting vaccinated increases the risk of death by 63 times.
Also read: Hospitalizations in Manitoba are increasing as the COVID-19 omicron variant spreads
Stefanson stated that children and teenagers would return to school on Monday, January 17, but Reimer stated that children are at very low risk of contracting Omicron.
“I understand how stressful this is for you. I can assure you that every parent on the pediatric advisory committee, like all parents, is concerned.”
While the Premier stated that her government is consulting with public health on restrictions, she also stated that her government is consulting with other Manitobans, including the business community.
Even before current public health measures were stretched, she would not say whether public health suggested more stringent restrictions.
According to Stefanson, PCR test turnaround times are less than 48 hours.
According to Gordon, the province will now focus on different numbers.
Global News has focused on hospitalizations rather than case numbers for the past two weeks.
Manitoba has reported a new high in COVID-19 hospitalizations, breaking a previous high in the last 24 hours.
With the addition of 38 people, the province now has 454 COVID patients in hospitals, a new high. The previous pandemic high of 445 patients occurred on December 5, 2020, before Manitobans had access to vaccines.
4 more people have passed as a result of the incident.
4 further people with the virus have been admitted to Manitoba ICUs, bringing the total to 46, according to public health officials.
The province also reported 1,478 fresh cases, but this number is inaccurate due to shifts in how the province collects COVID-19 case data. Most Manitobans who demand a test will gain a rapid antigen test, with no results recorded. Those who test positive and meet certain standards are given a PCR test, which is noted.
The test backlog has been cleared.
Source: CTV News
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