First Nations Pandemic Response Team clarifies data on breakthrough cases that was 'taken out of context'
The Manitoba First Nations Pandemic Response Team is addressing misinformation that has arisen from data released at a provincial update on Monday.
The team’s public health lead Dr. Marcia Anderson said the data shows the number of people who are hospitalized is much lower in vaccinated people than those who are not.
However, she adds while the vaccine is highly effective, it is not perfect and breakthrough infections will occur.
Anderson said a slide presented at a news conference Monday that only showed breakthrough numbers and not unvaccinated numbers has been taken out of context to discourage vaccinations.
The news conference was called to announce public health officials’ recommendation of a third COVID-19 shot for First Nations people living on reserve.
“In Manitoba, about 83 per cent of people are fully vaccinated, but only 30 per cent of cases occur in that, which means 70 per cent of the cases that we have are occurring in people who are not vaccinated, even though it's a much smaller percentage,” Dr. Anderson explained.
According to the province, there have been just over 1,300 breakthrough infections, a little under 400 of which are in First Nations people.
Five have been admitted to the ICU, which Anderson calls a small number.
The First Nations team said it is now focused on encouraging first and second doses, along with a third dose for those living on reserves.
“Because we want to maintain those high levels of protection against severe outcomes and we want to protect local workforce capacity, we are recommending people get a third dose. That is to maintain the very high degree of effectiveness of the vaccine,” Dr. Anderson explained.
As of Thursday morning, there were 533 active cases in First Nations people in Manitoba, with most occurring in the Northern health region and in those aged 10 to 17.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.