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 44 (October 31 – November 6)

About epidemiological week

Data extracted up to 1:00 am on November 12, 2021
Next reporting date: November 22, 2021

COVID-19: Increased Activity

In Week 44, there were 946 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Manitoba, an increase from 752 in the previous week. The volume of lab tests increased to on average 2,949 people tested for COVID-19 per day compared to 2,760 in the previous week, and the positivity rate of lab tests was 5.1%, an increase from 4.2% in the previous week.

In the 946 cases reported this week, 40% 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 (14%), Prairie Mountain Health Authority (13%), and Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (9%).

This week, 672 cases of variants of concern (VOCs) have been reported, an increase from 537 in the previous week. Additionally, cases of VOCs accounted for 71% of new cases reported this week.

In all Manitoba residents aged 12 years and older, 89.1% of residents have been partially vaccinated and 85.6% 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: 946
  • Total cases: 64,547
  • Total VOC cases: 21,818
  • Recovered cases: 62,276
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Testing

About testing

This week

  • Average daily specimens: 2,949
  • Weekly positivity rate: 5.1%

Total

  • Tested people: 610,733
  • Population tested: 44.8%
  • Specimens tested: 1,111,000
  • Positivity rate: 6.3%
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Severity

About severity

Severe outcomes associated with COVID-19:

  • Hospitalizations: 4,578
    • ICU admissions3: 1,003
  • Deaths: 1,268
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Outbreaks

About outbreaks

COVID-19 outbreaks: 261

  • Outbreaks in long-term care facilities: 123
  • Outbreaks in schools: 14
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Exposure

About exposure

Source of infection in cases (% of total)

  • Travel: 1.6%
  • Close contact to cases: 55.0%
  • Unknown: 25.7%
  • Pending: 17.7%

Top five outbreak/cluster/special investigation settings4

  • Workplace: 32.8%
  • Industrial setting: 15.1%
  • School: 12.9%
  • Daycare: 9.0%
  • Acute care setting: 7.3%
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Transmission and Acquisition

About transmission and acquisition

Top five transmission settings in all cases5

  • Household: 64.8%
  • Social gathering: 14.4%
  • Workplace: 9.9%
  • Transportation: 4.6%
  • School: 2.6%

Top five acquisition settings in cases with unknown source of infection6

  • Household: 47.9%
  • Workplace: 24.3%
  • Social gathering: 14.8%
  • Retail: 9.1%
  • Food services establishments: 5.5%
More Analyses

Symptoms

About symptoms

Symptomatic cases: 73.7%

Top symptoms (% of reports)

  • Cough: 47.0%
  • Headache: 38.2%
  • Fever: 32.2%
  • Muscle pain (myalgia): 28.2%
  • Sore Throat: 27.7%
More Analyses

Risk Factors

About risk factors

  • Pregnant cases: 822
  • Health care workers7: 2,866
  • Deceased health care workers: 4
  • Recovered health care workers: 2,829
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 – November 6, 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 – November 6, 2021

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Figure 3. Sex and Age Distribution of COVID-19 Cases, March 1, 2020 – November 6, 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 – November 6, 2021

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Figure 5. Cases of COVID-19 by Health Region and Public Health Report Date, Manitoba, December 1, 2020 – November 6, 2021

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Table 1. Cases of COVID-19 by Health Region, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – November 6, 2021

Health Region Total Cases Cases this week Incidence Rate Age-standardized Incidence Rate *
Winnipeg RHA 35652 229 2.9 3.0
Southern Health-Santé Sud 10221 378 17.8 17.8
Interlake-Eastern RHA 4772 85 6.4 6.6
Prairie Mountain Health 4856 125 7.2 7.3
Northern Health Region 9046 129 16.7 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 31, 2021 – November 6, 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 – November 6, 2021

Partially vaccinated % Fully vaccinated %
2a. Cases After Vaccination, Overall
AZ/COVISHIELD 407 17.1% 27 1.2%
Janssen N/A N/A 10 0.4%
Moderna 543 22.8% 774 33.8%
Pfizer 1,431 60.1% 1,124 49.1%
Mixed vaccine products N/A N/A 352 15.4%
Total 2,381 100% 2,289 100%
2b. Cases After Vaccination by Age Group
12-19 147 6.2% 154 6.7%
20-29 272 11.4% 317 13.8%
30-39 297 12.5% 432 18.9%
40-49 350 14.7% 396 17.3%
50-59 451 18.9% 338 14.8%
60-69 452 19.0% 305 13.3%
70-79 249 10.5% 182 8.0%
80+ 163 6.8% 165 7.2%
Total 2,381 100% 2,289 100%
2c. Severe Cases After Vaccination
Hospitalizations (including ICU admissions)
12-19 1 0.4% 3 1.8%
20-29 13 5.7% 5 3.0%
30-39 13 5.7% 6 3.6%
40-49 14 6.1% 10 6.1%
50-59 34 14.9% 16 9.7%
60-69 49 21.5% 35 21.2%
70+ 104 45.6% 90 54.5%
Total hospitalizations 228 100% 165 100%
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% 1 3.2%
50-59 9 19.1% 1 3.2%
60-69 9 19.1% 7 22.6%
70+ 29 61.7% 22 71.0%
Total deaths 47 100% 31 100%
2d. Cases After Vaccination by Sex
Infections in females 1,266 53.2% 1,255 54.8%
Infections in males 1,115 46.8% 1,034 45.2%
Total 2,381 100% 2,289 100%
2e. Cases After Vaccination by VOC
B.1.1.7 - Alpha 524 22.0% 80 3.5%
B.1.6.1.7.2 - Delta 187 7.9% 328 14.3%
Other 36 1.5% 10 0.4%
Unspecified 819 34.4% 1,128 49.3%
Non-VOC 815 34.2% 743 32.5%
Total 2,381 100% 2,289 100%

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 – November 6, 2021

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Table 3. Cumulative National Testing Volume and Positivity (%) for COVID-19 by Province/Territory, Canada, March 13, 2020 – November 6, 2021

Province Confirmed Cases Tests Completed Test Rate in Population (Estimated %) Positivity Rate (Estimated %)
Alberta 325,983 5,894,338 135.5% 5.5%
British Columbia 208,265 4,303,442 85.3% 4.8%
Manitoba 64,207 1,148,019 84.1% 5.6%
New Brunswick 6,666 541,487 70.0% 1.2%
Newfoundland and Labrador 2,003 389,137 74.4% 0.5%
Northwest Territories 1,886 35,062 78.1% 5.4%
Nova Scotia 7,550 1,325,080 137.1% 0.6%
Nunavut 674 21,975 56.8% 3.1%
Ontario 602,087 18,933,633 130.7% 3.2%
Prince Edward Island 320 220,049 141.4% 0.1%
Quebec 428,631 12,626,711 149.5% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 78,403 1,231,469 105.2% 6.4%
Yukon 995 9,129 22.5% 10.9%
Canada 1,727,683 46,679,607 124.8% 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 – November 6, 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 – November 6, 2021

Figure 10. Percentage of COVID-19 Cases With Underlying Illnesses, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – November 6, 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 – November 6, 2021

Source of Infection Cases Percentage
Close contact of known case 1633 57%
Pending 212 7.4%
Travel 40 1.4%
Unknown 981 34.2%
All Cases 2866

Table 5. Roles of Health Care Workers with Non-missing Information, Manitoba, March 13, 2020 – November 6, 2021

Role Cases Percentage
Allied Health, Health Professionals, and Support Staff 1750 61.1%
Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse 734 25.6%
Not identified 227 7.9%
Physician/Physician in training 97 3.4%
First Responder 58 2%
All Cases 2866

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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 – November 6, 2021

Regional Health Authority Cases Median Contacts Minimum Contacts Maximum Contacts
Winnipeg Health 35652 3 0 249
Southern Health - Sante Sud 10221 2 0 69
Northern Health 9046 1 0 121
Prairie Mountain Health 4856 3 0 134
Interlake-Eastern Health 4772 2 0 76

Table 7. COVID-19 Contact Summary in New Cases Reported in Week 44, Manitoba, 2021

Regional Health Authority Cases Median Contacts Minimum Contacts Maximum Contacts
Southern Health - Sante Sud 378 3 0 55
Winnipeg Health 229 4 0 45
Northern Health 129 0 0 12
Prairie Mountain Health 125 3 0 59
Interlake-Eastern Health 85 3 0 36

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Figure 12. Percentage of COVID-19 Cases Linked to Top-five Cluster/Outbreak/Special Investigation Settings, Manitoba, January 24, 2021 – November 6, 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 – November 6, 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 – November 6, 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 – November 6, 2021

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

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