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 report, we provide regular updates about the current activity of COVID-19 in Manitoba to present a detailed overview about COVID-19 cases and contacts.

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.

For reporting on seasonal influenza in 2021-2022 season, please visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveillance/influenza/index.html

Week 42 (October 17 – October 23)

About epidemiological week

Data extracted up to 4:00 am on October 29, 2021
Next reporting date: November 8, 2021

COVID-19: Decreased Activity

In Week 42, there were 665 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Manitoba, an increase from 590 in the previous week. The volume of lab tests increased to on average 2,706 people tested for COVID-19 per day compared to 2,617 in the previous week, and the positivity rate of lab tests was 3.7%, an increase from 3.4% in the previous week.

In the 665 cases reported this week, 41% were reported from the Southern Health - Santé Sud Regional Health Authority and 24% were reported from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. The remaining cases were reported from Northern Health Region (19%), Prairie Mountain Health Authority (11%), and Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (5%).

This week, 435 cases of variants of concern (VOCs) have been reported, a decrease from 456 in the previous week. Additionally, cases of VOCs accounted for 65% of new cases reported this week.

In all Manitoba residents aged 12 years and older, 87.9% of residents have been partially vaccinated and 83.5% 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: 665
  • Total cases: 62,848
  • Total VOC cases: 20,575
  • Recovered cases: 60,788
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Testing

About testing

This week

  • Average daily specimens: 2,706
  • Weekly positivity rate: 3.7%

Total

  • Tested people: 596,432
  • Population tested: 43.7%
  • Specimens tested: 1,071,036
  • Positivity rate: 6.3%
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Severity

About severity

Severe outcomes associated with COVID-19:

  • Hospitalizations: 4,415
    • ICU admissions3: 971
  • Deaths: 1,244
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Outbreaks

About outbreaks

COVID-19 outbreaks: 252

  • Outbreaks in long-term care facilities: 122
  • Outbreaks in schools: 12
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Exposure

About exposure

Source of infection in cases (% of total)

  • Travel: 1.5%
  • Close contact to cases: 55.3%
  • Unknown: 25.5%
  • Pending: 17.6%

Top five outbreak/cluster/special investigation settings4

  • Workplace: 33.7%
  • Industrial setting: 16.0%
  • School: 11.1%
  • Daycare: 9.8%
  • Acute care setting: 6.9%
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Transmission and Acquisition

About transmission and acquisition

Top five transmission settings in all cases5

  • Household: 65.2%
  • Social gathering: 14.4%
  • Workplace: 9.9%
  • Transportation: 4.7%
  • School: 2.3%

Top five acquisition settings in cases with unknown source of infection6

  • Household: 48.4%
  • Workplace: 24.7%
  • Social gathering: 15.0%
  • Retail: 9.3%
  • Food services establishments: 5.6%
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Symptoms

About symptoms

Symptomatic cases: 73.7%

Top symptoms (% of reports)

  • Cough: 46.7%
  • Headache: 38.2%
  • Fever: 32.1%
  • Muscle pain (myalgia): 28.1%
  • Sore Throat: 27.6%
More Analyses

Risk Factors

About risk factors

  • Pregnant cases: 801
  • Health care workers7: 2,783
  • Deceased health care workers: 4
  • Recovered health care workers: 2,767
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 23, 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 23, 2021

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Figure 3. Sex and Age Distribution of COVID-19 Cases, March 1, 2020 – October 23, 2021

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Figure 4. Incidence Rate (/10,000 Population) of COVID-19 Cases by Age Group and Week of Public Health Report Date, Manitoba, August 23, 2020 – October 23, 2021

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Figure 5. Cases of COVID-19 by Health Region and Public Health Report Date, Manitoba, November 1, 2020 – October 23, 2021

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Table 1. Cases of COVID-19 by Health Region, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 23, 2021

Health Region Total Cases Cases this week Incidence Rate Age-standardized Incidence Rate *
Winnipeg RHA 35327 157 2.0 2.0
Southern Health-Sante Sud 9454 272 12.8 12.6
Interlake-Eastern RHA 4650 33 2.5 2.6
Prairie Mountain Health 4638 73 4.2 4.2
Northern Health Region 8779 130 16.8 15.6

Note: * Age-standardized rates are used to account for differences in the age structure in health regions. The whole Manitoba population is used as the standard population.

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Figure 6. Vaccination Status in New Cases 12+, non-ICU Hospital Admissions, ICU Admissions, Deaths, and VOCs, Manitoba, October 17, 2021 – October 23, 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, December 16, 2020 – October 23, 2021

Partially vaccinated % Fully vaccinated %
Table 2a. COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination, Overall
AZ/COVISHIELD 418 17.6% 19 1.1%
Janssen N/A N/A 8 0.5%
Moderna 535 22.5% 570 32.9%
Pfizer 1,421 59.9% 882 50.9%
Mixed vaccine products N/A N/A 252 14.5%
Total 2,374 100% 1,733 100%
Table 2b. COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination by Age Group
12-19 135 5.7% 109 6.3%
20-29 269 11.3% 246 14.2%
30-39 291 12.3% 326 18.8%
40-49 351 14.8% 293 16.9%
50-59 459 19.3% 255 14.7%
60-69 453 19.1% 239 13.8%
70-79 251 10.6% 134 7.7%
80+ 165 7.0% 131 7.6%
Total 2,374 100% 1,733 100%
Table 2c. Severe COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination
Hospitalizations (including ICU admissions)
12-19 1 0.4% 3 2.8%
20-29 12 5.3% 3 2.8%
30-39 11 4.9% 6 5.5%
40-49 14 6.2% 6 5.5%
50-59 34 15.0% 12 11.0%
60-69 47 20.8% 24 22.0%
70+ 107 47.3% 55 50.5%
Total hospitalizations 226 100% 109 100%
Deaths
12-19 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
20-29 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
30-39 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
40-49 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
50-59 9 19.1% 1 4.5%
60-69 9 19.1% 6 27.3%
70+ 29 61.7% 15 68.2%
Total deaths 47 100% 22 100%
Table 2d. COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination by Sex
Infections in females 1,268 53.4% 966 55.7%
Infections in males 1,106 46.6% 767 44.3%
Total 2,374 100% 1,733 100%
Table 2e. COVID-19 Cases After Vaccination by VOC
B.1.1.7 - Alpha 537 22.6% 80 4.6%
B.1.6.1.7.2 - Delta 183 7.7% 282 16.3%
Other 37 1.6% 10 0.6%
Unspecified 813 34.2% 785 45.3%
Non-VOC 804 33.9% 576 33.2%
Total 2,374 100% 1,733 100%

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

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Table 3. Cumulative National Testing Volume and Positivity (%) for COVID-19 by Province/Territory, Canada, March 13, 2020 – October 23, 2021

Province Confirmed Cases Tests Completed Test Rate in Population (Estimated %) Positivity Rate (Estimated %)
Alberta 319,176 5,763,523 132.5% 5.5%
British Columbia 200,898 4,123,783 81.7% 4.9%
Manitoba 62,588 1,115,168 81.7% 5.6%
New Brunswick 6,072 526,691 68.1% 1.2%
Newfoundland and Labrador 1,928 381,532 73.0% 0.5%
Northwest Territories 1,763 34,352 76.5% 5.1%
Nova Scotia 7,208 1,289,407 133.4% 0.6%
Nunavut 674 21,589 55.8% 3.1%
Ontario 596,772 18,562,581 128.2% 3.2%
Prince Edward Island 315 214,750 138.0% 0.1%
Quebec 421,791 12,252,918 145.0% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 75,842 1,200,785 102.5% 6.3%
Yukon 874 9,129 22.5% 9.6%
Canada 1,695,914 45,496,284 121.6% 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 8. Severe Outcomes of COVID-19 by Week of Public Health Report Date, Manitoba, August 23, 2020 – October 23, 2021

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

Figure 9. Age Distribution of Severe COVID-19 Cases Compared to All Cases, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 23, 2021

Figure 10. Percentage of COVID-19 Cases With Underlying Illnesses, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 23, 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 23, 2021

Source of Infection Cases Percentage
Close contact of known case 1593 57.2%
Pending 210 7.5%
Travel 37 1.3%
Unknown 943 33.9%
All Cases 2783

Table 5. Roles of Health Care Workers with Non-missing Information, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 23, 2021

Role Cases Percentage
Allied Health, Health Professionals, and Support Staff 1702 61.2%
Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse 709 25.5%
Not identified 221 7.9%
Physician/Physician in training 93 3.3%
First Responder 58 2.1%
All Cases 2783

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Outbreaks

Figure 11. 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 23, 2021

Regional Health Authority Cases Median Contacts Minimum Contacts Maximum Contacts
Winnipeg Health 35327 3 0 249
Southern Health - Sante Sud 9454 2 0 69
Northern Health 8779 1 0 121
Interlake-Eastern Health 4650 2 0 76
Prairie Mountain Health 4638 3 0 134

Table 7. COVID-19 Contact Summary in New Cases Reported in Week 42, Manitoba, 2021

Regional Health Authority Cases Median Contacts Minimum Contacts Maximum Contacts
Southern Health - Sante Sud 272 3 0 35
Winnipeg Health 157 4 0 74
Northern Health 130 0 0 15
Prairie Mountain Health 73 3 0 26
Interlake-Eastern Health 33 1 0 11

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Figure 12. Percentage of COVID-19 Cases Linked to Top-five Cluster/Outbreak/Special Investigation Settings, Manitoba, January 24, 2021 – October 23, 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 Total COVID-19 Cases Exposed to Top-five Transmission Settings, Manitoba, January 24, 2021 – October 23, 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 14. Percentage of Community-transmitted COVID-19 Cases Exposed to Top-five Acquisition Settings, Manitoba, January 24, 2021 – October 23, 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 15. Percentage of Symptoms Reported by COVID-19 Cases, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – October 23, 2021

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

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