7 deaths, 144 cases announced in Manitoba on Wednesday
The Manitoba government reported seven new deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, with all but one linked to variants of concern.
The deaths include four people from Winnipeg; a woman in her 40s, a man in his 60s, a woman in her 70s, and a woman in her 80s.
All four of these deaths were linked to the B.1.1.7 or Alpha variant first reported in the United Kingdom, with the death of the woman in her 80s also linked to an outbreak at Seven Oaks General Hospital in unit 3U4-7.
The remaining deaths occurred in the Southern Health Zone, including a man in his 70s linked to the Alpha variant, and two women in their 80s both linked to an outbreak at Carman Memorial Hospital. One of the women’s deaths was linked to an unspecified variant of concern.
Manitoba’s current death toll from COVID-19 is 1,111.
The province also announced 144 new cases, bringing the total since March 2020 to 54,739. One previous case was removed due to a data correction.
There are 2,799 active cases and 50,829 Manitobans who have recovered.
The test-positivity rate continues to fall in both Manitoba and Winnipeg. The province’s rate is 9.7 per cent, while Winnipeg’s rate is 9.2 per cent.
VARIANTS OF CONCERN
Manitoba added 121 new variant of concern cases on Wednesday, bringing the total since the pandemic started to 14,003.
The majority of the variant cases are unspecified, with 7,601 cases. Alpha variant cases account for 6,090 total cases.
In Manitoba, there have been 45 total cases of the Beta or B.1351 variant first reported in South Africa, 166 cases of the Gamma or P1 variant first reported in Brazil, and 78 cases of the Delta variant first reported in India.
A total of 120 deaths have been linked to variants of concern.
HOSPITALIZATION DATA
There are currently 273 Manitobans hospitalized with COVID-19 in Manitoba and neighbouring provinces. Of those patients, 166 people have active COVID-19, while 85 people are no longer considered infectious, but still need hospital care.
There are 61 Manitobans receiving ICU care in Manitoba, while 22 patients are being treated in ICUs outside of Manitoba. Ontario currently has 21 Manitobans, while one is in Alberta. Twenty-eight people receiving care outside of Manitoba have been returned to the province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Health Canada recalls multiple Rainbow Road Board books due to choking hazard
Health Canada has issued a recall notice affecting multiple Rainbow Road Board books due to a potential choking hazard.
U.S., India talking about Canada murder, no 'special exemption': Biden adviser
The U.S. is in touch with Indians at high levels after Ottawa said Indian government agents had links to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada, and Washington is giving India no 'special exemption' in the matter, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set to arrive in Ottawa for first visit since war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to arrive in the national capital for his first official visit to Canada since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
B.C. First Nation research finds 158 child deaths at four facilities
An investigation into unmarked graves and missing children by British Columbia's Sto:lo Nation has revealed at least 158 deaths, most of them at an Indigenous hospital.
Is a 'no-tipping' policy ready to be adopted by Canadian restaurants?
As Canadians report their frustrations with 'out-of-control' tipping culture, some wonder whether it is time to remove the option to tip at restaurants and is it even possible amid rising food costs?
Canadian-founded Rumble slams 'deeply inappropriate' inquiry from U.K. MPs on Russell Brand content
A Canadian-founded video platform which has found success among right-wing commentators says it will not be removing the ability for Russell Brand to monetize videos on their platform after receiving an inquiry on the subject from the U.K. government amid a wave of sexual assault allegations against the comic.
Law firm awarded $4.5 million contract for David Johnston foreign interference probe
A Toronto-based law firm was awarded a nearly $4.5 million contract to work on former special rapporteur David Johnston's ill-fated foreign interference probe.
Man admits to fatally poisoning Toronto toddler's breakfast cereal in 'obsessive' plot against married woman
A Toronto man has admitted to fatal poisoning of a toddler's breakfast cereal at a Scarborough residence in 2021 as part of an "obsessive" plot against a married woman.
'I don't know when we'll go': Travel plans upended amid fraying Canada-India ties
Members of the Indo-Canadian community are reeling after the Indian government suspended visa services for citizens of Canada, upending travel plans for those set on visiting the country but now caught in the crossfire of a diplomatic blowup.