COVID-19 transmission spreading in Manitoba

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This article was published 03/11/2022 (1089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

COVID-19 transmission, hospitalizations and deaths appear to be on the rise in Manitoba.

There were 116 hospitalizations, including seven ICU admissions, and 11 deaths associated with COVID-19 last week, according to the latest epidemiology report from the provincial government.

Wastewater monitoring shows the viral load of COVID-19 in Winnipeg’s sewage is increasing, with COVID-19 levels trending upward in northern and western neighbourhoods of the city. (No change was detected in the most recent federal trend report for Brandon’s wastewater monitoring, or for Winnipeg’s south end).

We can be confident from the wastewater data, that COVID transmission is rising in the community, said Winnipeg medical microbiologist Dr. Philippe Lagacé-Wiens. Fluctuating hospitalization numbers are harder to interpret, but hospitals are already under strain. They are preparing for a confluence of COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus cases, along with an increase in serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes that may be indirectly linked to COVID.

“All of these things are coming all at the same time, to a system that’s already under extreme stress and is understaffed,” he said.

Labs are starting to see positive influenza cases, although the province has not yet started publishing seasonal flu reports this year and a spokesperson indicated Thursday it could not provide an update on flu cases.

There is limited information about how often the current COVID-19 transmission and infection rates lead to long-term symptoms for Manitobans.

A request to interview Manitoba’s chief public health officials was declined. All long-COVID-related questions were redirected to Shared Health, which says it does not know prevalence of long COVID locally, but encourages everyone to get vaccinated and boosted to reduce the risk, and to talk to their doctor about referrals for treatment of long-term symptoms.

“Manitoba does not track the number of people who have experienced long COVID or post-COVID conditions, the number who have received treatment for it, or what effect vaccines/boosters may have on long COVID symptoms. It would not be possible to account for people who are experiencing long COVID but have not sought treatment. Additionally, providers will typically rule out other potential causes for their patients’ symptoms prior to confirming a long COVID diagnosis. This may lead to cases being coded as something other than long COVID in electronic patient records/systems,” a Shared Health spokesperson stated.

The situation calls for more advocacy to push for upgrading building ventilation systems and a return to wearing masks, said Aleeza Gerstein, an assistant professor in University of Manitoba’s department of microbiology and statistics.

“I don’t think this has to be our new normal. I don’t think we have to accept the constant cycles of infection from airborne viruses,” she said, noting the role cholera epidemics played in reforming public water systems.

“We should still be pushing to be breathing in the cleanest air we can,” Gerstein said, adding: “That means more fresh air coming into spaces through open windows and improved ventilation.”

Individuals may buy their own portable HEPA filters and push for institutions to start the costly and time-consuming process of upgrading ventilation infrastructure, but all of the responsibility for bringing down infections shouldn’t be left up to personal choice, Gerstein said.

“We’re not going to ‘individual’ our way out of this, and frankly I think it’s extremely unfair to ask that of individuals.”

katie.may@winnipegfreepress.com