'It is here to stay': Manitoba public health says everyone will likely be exposed to COVID-19 in the coming weeks
Manitoba public health is shifting to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 instead of containing it, saying with the highly transmissible Omicron variant in play, it is likely everyone will be exposed to the virus in the coming weeks.
During a public health update on Wednesday, Dr. Jazz Atwal, the deputy chief provincial public health officer, said COVID-19 is no longer an emerging illness.
"It is here to stay and our ability to contain the virus is limited," Atwal said.
He said the Omicron variant is highly transmissible – one person may infect 12 to 16 people.
"It is highly likely everyone will be exposed to the virus in the coming weeks," Atwal said, adding some Manitobans will have immunity from a previous infection or vaccines.
"This will make COVID cases less severe, but the sheer number of cases still has the potential to overwhelm our health-care system which is something we are monitoring closely."
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said the next few weeks will be challenging.
"We must learn to live with this virus," she said.
"Vaccines work and now more than ever with the Omicron variant circulating thoughout Manitoba, it is crucial that all Manitobans get fully vaccinated, including the third dose when you're eligible."
Atwal said given the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, public health can't manage cases on an individual level.
"We have to focus on managing the risk at the community level. We have to shift to mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and away from containing the virus," he said.
"It means we are shifting our approaches to focus our efforts and our resources to best manage the risk."
He said the best way for people to protect themselves is to get vaccinated and to get their booster shot.
This is a developing story. More details to come.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.