Provincial Respiratory Surveillance Report

COVID-19


This report provides a current epidemiological update on the intensity and severity of COVID-19 in Manitoba. Surveillance and administrative data include laboratory, public health case and contact tracing investigations, hospitalization and mortality data. Data are presented at the provincial and regional level; and include a focussed review on the disproportional impact of COVID-19 on various populations in the province.

In this weekly respiratory surveillance report, we provide regular updates about the current activity of COVID-19 in Manitoba with overall objectives:

Data are reported with a one-week delay for increased data accuracy, completeness and reliability. More analyses continue to be conducted and will be added to this report as available. It is published online at approximately 10:00am every Monday.

Reporting for seasonal influenza in 2021-2022 season will start on October 29, 2021 for Week 42 (October 17–23, 2021).

Week 40 (October 3 – October 9)

About epidemiological week

Data extracted up to 4:00 am on October 15, 2021
Next reporting date: October 25, 2021

COVID-19: Increased Activity

In Week 40, there were 724 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Manitoba, an increase from 642 in the previous week. The volume of lab tests increased to on average 3,099 people tested for COVID-19 per day compared to 3,058 in the previous week, and the positivity rate of lab tests was 3.5%, an increase from 3.3% in the previous week.

In the 724 cases reported this week, 32% were reported from the Southern Health - Santé Sud Regional Health Authority and 22% were reported from the Northern Health Region. The remaining cases were reported from Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (21%), Prairie Mountain Health Authority (17%), and Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (8%).

This week, 557 cases of variants of concern (VOCs) have been reported, an increase from 472 in the previous week. Additionally, cases of VOCs accounted for 77% of new cases reported this week.

In all Manitoba residents aged 12 years and older, 86.9% of residents have been partially vaccinated and 81.7% have been fully vaccinated. This week, the majority of new cases, severe cases among them and VOC cases were unvaccinated.

Cases

About cases

  • New cases: 724
  • Total cases: 61,593
  • Total VOC cases: 19,683
  • Recovered cases: 59,701
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Testing

About testing

This week

  • Average daily specimens: 3,099
  • Weekly positivity rate: 3.5%

Total

  • Tested people: 582,094
  • Population tested: 42.7%
  • Specimens tested: 1,033,777
  • Positivity rate: 6.4%
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Severity

About severity

Severe outcomes associated with COVID-19:

  • Hospitalizations: 4,313
    • ICU admissions3: 932
  • Deaths: 1,226
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Outbreaks

About outbreaks

COVID-19 outbreaks: 248

  • Outbreaks in long-term care facilities: 121
  • Outbreaks in schools: 10
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Exposure

About exposure

Source of infection in cases (% of total)

  • Travel: 1.5%
  • Close contact to cases: 55.6%
  • Unknown: 25.5%
  • Pending: 17.4%

Top five outbreak/cluster/special investigation settings4

  • Workplace: 34.6%
  • Industrial setting: 16.5%
  • Daycare: 9.8%
  • School: 9.8%
  • Acute care setting: 7.0%
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Transmission and Acquisition

About transmission and acquisition

Top five transmission settings in all cases5

  • Household: 65.4%
  • Social gathering: 14.3%
  • Workplace: 9.8%
  • Transportation: 4.7%
  • Retail: 2.1%

Top five acquisition settings in cases with unknown source of infection6

  • Household: 49.0%
  • Workplace: 24.8%
  • Social gathering: 15.1%
  • Retail: 9.2%
  • Food services establishments: 5.7%
More Analyses

Symptoms

About symptoms

Symptomatic cases: 73.8%

Top symptoms (% of reports)

  • Cough: 46.6%
  • Headache: 38.1%
  • Fever: 32.1%
  • Muscle pain (myalgia): 28.2%
  • Sore Throat: 27.6%
More Analyses

Risk Factors

About risk factors

  • Pregnant cases: 784
  • Health care workers7: 2,742
  • Deceased health care workers: 4
  • Recovered health care workers: 2,732
More Analyses

Important Notes

  1. Data about COVID-19 cases and contacts are extracted from PHIMS.
  2. Numbers are subject to change. Missed events in the current report due to reporting delays will be included in later reports when data become available.
  3. ICU admissions were also included in hospitalizations.
  4. The top five settings where cases are found to be linked with an outbreak or cluster or special investigation.
  5. Transmission settings include those settings exposed during a case’s communicability period, i.e., 48 hours prior to the development of overt symptoms in the case until the case is classified as no longer infectious. Percentages are calculated using total cases counts as a denominator. Categories are NOT mutually exclusive.
  6. Acquisition settings include those settings exposed during a case’s incubation period, i.e., 14 days before symptom onset date. Percentages are calculated using community-transmitted case counts as a denominator for acquisition settings. Categories are NOT mutually exclusive.
  7. Health care workers include personnels in hospitals, long-term care settings, community health clinics and services (including agency staff), and diagnostic/laboratory services.

Cases

Figure 1. Cases of COVID-19 by Week of Public Health Report Date, Manitoba, August 23, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Note. Deaths due to COVID-19 were aligned by week of death date.
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Figure 2. COVID-19 Cases of Variants of Concern (VOC) by Type and Percentage of VOC Cases in All Cases by Week of Public Health Report Date, Manitoba, August 23, 2020 – October 9, 2021

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Figure 3. Sex and Age Distribution of COVID-19 Cases, March 1, 2020 – October 9, 2021

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Figure 4. Cases of COVID-19 by Health Region and Public Health Report Date, Manitoba, November 1, 2020 – October 9, 2021

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Table 1. Cases of COVID-19 by Health Region, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Health Region Cases Percentage
Winnipeg RHA 35039 56.9%
Southern Health-Santé Sud 8985 14.6%
Interlake-Eastern RHA 4584 7.4%
Prairie Mountain Health 4477 7.3%
Northern Health Region 8508 13.8%
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Figure 5. Vaccination Status in New Cases 12+, non-ICU Hospital Admissions, ICU Admissions, Deaths, and VOCs, Manitoba, October 3, 2021 – October 9, 2021

Note: Unprotected Case: Individuals vaccinated 0–13 days following the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Partially Vaccinated Case: Individuals vaccinated >=14 days following the first dose of a 2-dose series COVID-19 vaccine if only one dose was received and 0-13 days following the second dose if two doses were received. Fully Vaccinated Case: Individuals vaccinated >=14 days following the second dose of a 2-dose series or first dose of a 1-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine.

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Table 2. COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Partially vaccinated % Fully vaccinated %
Table 2a. COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination, Overall
AZ/COVISHIELD 417 18.0% 12 0.9%
Janssen N/A N/A 5 0.4%
Moderna 508 21.9% 417 31.2%
Pfizer 1,394 60.1% 709 53.1%
Mixed vaccine products N/A N/A 190 14.2%
Total 2,319 100% 1,335 100%
Table 2b. COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination by Age Group
12-19 122 5.3% 80 6.0%
20-29 254 11.0% 185 13.9%
30-39 284 12.2% 245 18.4%
40-49 343 14.8% 215 16.1%
50-59 454 19.6% 194 14.5%
60-69 447 19.3% 195 14.6%
70-79 250 10.8% 115 8.6%
80+ 165 7.1% 106 7.9%
Total 2,319 100% 1,335 100%
Table 2c. Severe COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination
Hospitalizations (including ICU admissions)
12-19 1 0.5% 3 3.2%
20-29 12 5.4% 3 3.2%
30-39 10 4.5% 6 6.4%
40-49 13 5.9% 2 2.1%
50-59 34 15.3% 9 9.6%
60-69 46 20.7% 23 24.5%
70+ 106 47.7% 48 51.1%
Total hospitalizations 222 100% 94 100%
Deaths
12-19 0 0.0% 0 0.5%
20-29 0 0.0% 0 5.4%
30-39 0 0.0% 0 4.5%
40-49 0 0.0% 0 5.9%
50-59 7 15.6% 0 15.3%
60-69 9 20.0% 6 20.7%
70+ 29 64.4% 15 47.7%
Total deaths 45 100% 21 100%
Table 2d. COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination by Sex
Infections in females 1,240 53.5% 749 56.1%
Infections in males 1,079 46.5% 586 43.9%
Total 2,319 100% 1,335 100%
Table 2e. COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination by VOC
B.1.1.7 - Alpha 538 23.2% 80 6.0%
B.1.6.1.7.2 - Delta 163 7.0% 192 14.4%
Other 37 1.6% 10 0.7%
Unspecified 801 34.5% 631 47.3%
Non-VOC 780 33.6% 422 31.6%
Total 2,319 100% 1,335 100%

Note. Other VOCs include AY.3 (Delta Plus), B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.617, B.1.617.2 (Kappa), and P.1 (Gamma).

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Testing

Figure 6. Average Daily Testing Volume and Positivity (%) for COVID-19 by Week of Specimen Receiving Date, Manitoba, August 23, 2020 – October 9, 2021

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Table 3. Cumulative National Testing Volume and Positivity (%) for COVID-19 by Province/Territory, Canada, March 13, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Province Confirmed Cases Tests Completed Test Rate in Population (Estimated %) Positivity Rate (Estimated %)
Alberta 308,275 5,610,443 128.9% 5.5%
British Columbia 192,491 3,931,735 77.9% 4.9%
Manitoba 61,372 1,076,629 78.9% 5.7%
New Brunswick 4,987 492,730 63.7% 1.0%
Newfoundland and Labrador 1,848 368,320 70.4% 0.5%
Northwest Territories 1,411 33,176 73.9% 4.3%
Nova Scotia 6,918 1,245,774 128.9% 0.6%
Nunavut 666 20,988 54.3% 3.2%
Ontario 590,677 18,166,272 125.4% 3.3%
Prince Edward Island 306 206,222 132.5% 0.1%
Quebec 414,573 11,865,818 140.5% 3.5%
Saskatchewan 71,034 1,158,744 99.0% 6.1%
Yukon 793 9,129 22.5% 8.7%
Canada 1,655,364 44,186,056 118.1% 3.7%

Note. National testing data are collected daily from the national Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Outbreak update webpage.

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Severity

Figure 7. Severe Outcomes of COVID-19 by Week of Public Health Report Date, Manitoba, August 23, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Note. ICU admissions are not included in the hospital admissions.

Figure 8. Age Distribution of Severe COVID-19 Cases Compared to All Cases, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Figure 9. Percentage of COVID-19 Cases With Underlying Illnesses, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Note. Musculoskeletal illnesses include: osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, gout and crystal Arthropathies; COPD-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CVD-cardiovascular disease; Other CVDs include: ischemic heart disease, heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke; Other chronic conditions include: parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy. About definitions of chronic conditions

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Risk Factors

Table 4. Source of Infection in Health Care Workers with Non-missing Information, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Source of Infection Cases Percentage
Close contact of known case 1574 57.4%
Pending 208 7.6%
Travel 36 1.3%
Unknown 924 33.7%
All Cases 2742

Table 5. Roles of Health Care Workers with Non-missing Information, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Role Cases Percentage
Allied Health, Health Professionals, and Support Staff 1676 61.1%
Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse 697 25.4%
Not identified 219 8%
Physician/Physician in training 92 3.4%
First Responder 58 2.1%
All Cases 2742

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Outbreaks

Figure 10. Weekly COVID-19 Outbreaks, Manitoba, 2018 – 2021

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Contacts

Table 6. COVID-19 Contact Summary in All Cases, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Regional Health Authority Cases Median Contacts Minimum Contacts Maximum Contacts
Winnipeg Health 35039 3 0 249
Southern Health - Sante Sud 8985 2 0 69
Northern Health 8508 1 0 121
Interlake-Eastern Health 4584 2 0 76
Prairie Mountain Health 4477 3 0 134

Table 7. COVID-19 Contact Summary in New Cases Reported in Week 40, Manitoba, 2021

Regional Health Authority Cases Median Contacts Minimum Contacts Maximum Contacts
Southern Health - Sante Sud 227 3 0 30
Northern Health 159 0 0 9
Winnipeg Health 157 3 0 53
Prairie Mountain Health 126 5 0 33
Interlake-Eastern Health 55 0 0 18

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Figure 11. Percentage of COVID-19 Cases Linked to Top-five Cluster/Outbreak/Special Investigation Settings, Manitoba, January 24, 2021 – October 9, 2021

Note: COVID-19 public health orders in Manitoba since January 23, 2021: PH order #1 (effective January 23, 2021), PH order #2 (effective March 5, 2021), PH order #3 (effective March 26, 2021), PH order #4 (effective April 19, 2021), PH order #5 (effective April 28, 2021), PH order #6 (effective May 9, 2021), PH order #7 (effective May 22, 2021), PH order #8 (effective May 29, 2021), PH order #9 (effective June 12, 2021), PH order #10 (effective June 26, 2021), PH order #11: (effective July 17, 2021), PH order #12: (effective August 7, 2021), PH order #13: (effective August 28, 2021), PH order #14: (effective October 5, 2021). Content of Public Health Orders

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Figure 12. Percentage of Total COVID-19 Cases Exposed to Top-five Transmission Settings, Manitoba, January 24, 2021 – October 9, 2021

Note: COVID-19 public health orders in Manitoba since January 23, 2021: PH order #1 (effective January 23, 2021), PH order #2 (effective March 5, 2021), PH order #3 (effective March 26, 2021), PH order #4 (effective April 19, 2021), PH order #5 (effective April 28, 2021), PH order #6 (effective May 9, 2021), PH order #7 (effective May 22, 2021), PH order #8 (effective May 29, 2021), PH order #9 (effective June 12, 2021), PH order #10 (effective June 26, 2021), PH order #11: (effective July 17, 2021), PH order #12: (effective August 7, 2021), PH order #13: (effective August 28, 2021), PH order #14: (effective October 5, 2021). Content of Public Health Orders

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Figure 13. Percentage of Community-transmitted COVID-19 Cases Exposed to Top-five Acquisition Settings, Manitoba, January 24, 2021 – October 9, 2021

Note: COVID-19 public health orders in Manitoba since January 23, 2021: PH order #1 (effective January 23, 2021), PH order #2 (effective March 5, 2021), PH order #3 (effective March 26, 2021), PH order #4 (effective April 19, 2021), PH order #5 (effective April 28, 2021), PH order #6 (effective May 9, 2021), PH order #7 (effective May 22, 2021), PH order #8 (effective May 29, 2021), PH order #9 (effective June 12, 2021), PH order #10 (effective June 26, 2021), PH order #11: (effective July 17, 2021), PH order #12: (effective August 7, 2021), PH order #13: (effective August 28, 2021), PH order #14: (effective October 5, 2021). Content of Public Health Orders

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Symptoms

Figure 14. Percentage of Symptoms Reported by COVID-19 Cases, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 9, 2021

Note: Other symptoms include those less common symptoms such as sweating, runny eyes, itchy throat, etc.

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