Situation Update

Since our update on Friday, 103 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified, including 35 today, the lowest since October 17, 2021. This brings the total case count in Manitoba to 31,894.

The five-day test positivity rate is 3.9%, unchanged from Friday. It is 3.0% in Winnipeg, down from 3.3%.

There are currently 1,171 active COVID-19 cases province-wide, down slightly from 1,197.

There are currently 184 patients in hospital today related to COVID-19, down from 191. This includes 25 patients in ICU.

Seven new COVID-related deaths were reported, including one today. A total of 896 Manitobans have died due to COVID-19.

You can learn more in today’s public health bulletin.

Dr. Brent Roussin also released a report today about impact of COVID-19 on Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) in Manitoba.

Like other jurisdictions, the detailed report finds that BIPOC Manitobans are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The data shows, in particular, African, Filipino, Latin American, Indigenous and South Asian communities are disproportionately affected. White Manitobans experienced less COVID-19 than would be expected based on population size.

Dr. Roussin explained that People in BIPOC communities are more likely to live in low-income neighborhoods, to live in overcrowded or multi-generational households, to have low wage occupations, and to be employed in a higher-risk occupations like food manufacturing, service industry, transportation, food services and retail).

While the race, ethnicity and indigeneity data in the report is not complete, collected in just two thirds of the case investigations, it offers compelling evidence about this uneven impact.

You can access the full report here.

Vaccine Campaign

We are launching a COVID-19 vaccine campaign to support Manitobans, and physicians, on the largest immunization initiative in our history.

“Responding to what we’ve heard from physicians, Doctors Manitoba is launching this major campaign,” said Dr. Cory Baillie, President of Doctors Manitoba. ​“Today, I am happy to unveil our new vaccine campaign website: Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca.”

The campaign website includes information for Manitobans about the vaccine, from local physicians, as well as interactive features like checking when you’ll be eligible and signing up for notifications. A public awareness advertising campaign will help to reach Manitobans and connect them with answers to their common vaccine questions.

“The goal of our campaign is to reassure Manitobans that doctors support and trust the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines,” explained Dr. Baillie. ​“Through this, Manitobans will be reminded that physicians are the best and most trusted source of information about the vaccines, and clinics will soon be a familiar place to get the shot. Manitobans will be invited to view our new vaccine website to get physicians’ views on the vaccines, and to contact their doctor if they have questions or concerns.”

To support physicians on this vaccine journey, we’re also creating more resources and information, so you can focus more of your time on your patients. Please review the following:

• Check out the Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca website. Review the Vaccine Info page for patient-focused answers to common questions, and try out the eligibility checker.
• Start referring patients to Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca if they have questions about the vaccine, in particular when they will be eligible and to sign up to get notified.
• Review our immunization campaign guide for physicians. You’ll find key messages about vaccines, ways to support your patients as they become eligible for vaccines and tips to respond to vaccine hesitancy.
• Our Vaccine Resource Centre for physicians will continue to have up-to-date info, including a guide on vaccine hesitancy, billing guidance and how to sign up to offer the vaccine.

We’re interested in your feedback on the campaign. What can we do to strengthen the patient resources? Are you interested in helping to answer questions from the public on Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca? Let us know by emailing covid19@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

Vaccine Updates

We have a series of quick updates for you on eligibility, testing locations, and vaccine approvals.

Eligibility Expanded

Vaccine eligibility was expanded today by the province to include:

• People born in 1930 or earlier (age 90 and up)
• First Nations people born in 1950 or earlier (age 70 and up).

Nearly all physicians are now eligible for the vaccine, including those working in acute, long-term care and community settings. In most cases, you must have direct patient contact and deliver services publicly insured by Manitoba Health. You can view the full eligibility list on the provincial government website. Appointments can be booked by calling 1−844−626−8222.

If you have patients who want to know when they’ll be eligible, or who want to be notified when they become eligible, you can refer them to Doctors Manitoba’s new vaccine answers website, Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca.

Test Site Locations

The Selkirk mass immunization super site will open next Monday, March 8. Appointments can be booked at this location starting today by calling the provincial vaccine call centre at 1−844−626−8222, along with existing locations in Brandon, Thompson and Winnipeg. A location in Morden will open later this month.

Physicians are encouraged to register their clinic to offer the vaccine. Check out our details on the clinic-based immunization rollout, including remuneration, expectations and further information on how to apply.

Vaccine Approval Update

On Friday, Health Canada approved AstraZeneca. Once vaccine supplies arrive, doctors will be able to start offering the vaccine in their clinics. This vaccine, like the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines, requires two doses. All approved vaccines are seen by experts as highly effective against severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalizations and death. See our summary on the AstraZeneca vaccine approval here.

The U.S. has approved the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. This is a viral vector vaccine, like the AstraZeneca product, but it is the first vaccine that requires only one dose. The single dose also offers strong protection, with 85% effectiveness at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death. Health Canada is also reviewing this vaccine for regulatory approval and a decision could follow in the next couple of weeks. It’s also one of the vaccines that the federal government has pre-ordered.

New CMA President-Elect

Congratulations to the CMA’s new President-Elect, Dr. Alika Lafontaine of Grande Prairie, AB. The first ever Indigenous President-Elect, Dr. Lafontaine, celebrates his Anishinaabe, Cree, Métis and Pacific Islander ancestry and has worked tirelessly co-leading the Indigenous Health Alliance, a healthy living project involving 150 First Nations and many national health organizations from 2013 – 2017. His presidency is set to begin in August 2022 and he will be confirmed at the CMA AGM in August.

Webinar this Thursday

Doctors Manitoba and MD Financial Management have collaborated to offer a webinar this Thursday. The webinar will focus on insurance and wealth protection options and strategies, specifically for physicians and their families. Whether you are just starting your medical career or approaching retirement, this session will offer information and tips for physicians about insurance products and wealth protection strategies.

Join us on this Thursday at 7PM. Register now to join us!

To view previous updates, click here.