Frostbite flourished amid pandemic closures: advocates

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Pandemic restrictions that resulted in limited operations at homeless shelters last winter are partly to blame for a 10-year high in severe frostbite cases, outreach workers say.

Fewer Winnipeg warming centres were open in 2021-22, and many that remained open shortened hours and shrunk bed capacity amid public health orders aimed to curb COVID-19 transmission.

“This winter, we’re not seeing the same thing,” said Glynis Quinn, executive director of 1JustCity, which runs the Just a Warm Sleep program on Pulford Street. In the past, staff had witnessed severe frostbite cases that required toe amputations, but they haven’t seen any cases so far this relatively mild winter, she said Thursday.

People are still coming in cold, Quinn said, but it’s with early, treatable signs of frostbite.

In winter 2021-22, there were 90 frostbite diagnoses at city hospitals, and 19 resulting amputations, according to data provided this week by Shared Health.

Those numbers are more than double the frostbite diagnoses in winter 2020-21, and represent the highest numbers since 2011.

Currently, many shelters are staying open longer and, so far, this winter hasn’t been as bitterly cold.

The N’Dinawemak warming centre opened last year, with space for up to 150 people at 190 Disraeli Fwy. Still, it’s sometimes a challenge to find space on the coldest nights, said Miguel Betti, manager of the mobile assist and connect team for the Downtown Community Safety Partnership.

“We’re not finding people with black fingertips this year, as much as maybe last year, but it’s still definitely around and it’s still definitely a huge concern. This year, I’m finding the bigger concern is more like hypothermic symptoms,” Betti said, sometimes due to people using substances that can keep them from feeling the cold even in freezing temperatures.

There’s always a need for donated winter coats, sweaters, brand-new socks and underwear, and other winter gear.

And there’s still “a huge need,” for warming spaces that are meant for young people, said Summer Prince, manager of the WE24 shelter at the Spence Neighbourhood Association. Even donations of things like reusable bags can really help people carry their belongings with them, she said.

“Last year was extremely tough, because a lot of shelter spaces had to close their doors (due to pandemic rules),” Prince said.

WE24 began allowing people older than 26 to stay at the shelter last winter because of the “true need.” This year, back at its age-26 cut-off, staff are seeing 50 to 100 youth each night — and so far, no cases of frostbite, Prince said.

However, as winter goes on, they are gathering more bedding and supplies, anticipating an increase in the number of young people who will need a warm place to stay.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca