Northern Manitoba accounts for highest proportion of active COVID-19 cases in province
New COVID-19 infections are rising in Manitoba’s north, with the Northern Health Region now accounting for the highest proportion of active COVID-19 cases in the province.
Right now, there are 963 active cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba, with 38 per cent of all active cases within the Northern Health Region, even as the region’s vaccine uptake is above 84 per cent.
In comparison, 22 per cent of active cases are in the Southern Health Region and 19 per cent are from the Winnipeg Health Region.
The rate of new COVID-19 infections in the Northern Health Region has been rising and one community is experiencing its first outbreak of the virus.
On Thursday, community leaders in Norway House Cree Nation, currently dealing with 84 active COVID-19 cases in a population of about 8,000, said the recent surge of new cases were due to community spread that originated from outside the community.
Lack of housing infrastructure in the community and access to health services helped the virus spread quickly.
“Overcrowded homes, lack of proper heat and ventilation, inadequate washrooms and healthy space for families are contributing to the pandemic emergency,” said Norway House Cree Nation Chief Larson Anderson in a statement.
Epidemiologist Cynthia Carr, who has worked with a number of northern remote communities, said these are problems seen across the region and are likely contributing to the recent spike in cases.
“It’s very difficult when you’re in a more isolated or remote community to have enough staffing capacity to help with healthcare emergencies,” said Carr.
Carr adds that a lack of adequate housing, forcing community members to live in close quarters with no space to self-isolate if infectious, is likely exacerbating the problem.
“Infrastructure is key,” said Carr. “When you’re in an overcrowded house, there’s just nowhere to go.”
The province is aware of the rising case count in the north and officials said Friday that action is being considered.
“We’re looking at the numbers,” said Health Minister Audrey Gordon. “We have… recently approved dose three for First Nations personal care homes. We’re looking at possibly broadening that but no final decision has been made yet.”
Rising COVID-19 infections within First Nation communities isn’t an issue isolated in the north.
According to figures provided on Thursday during the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs weekly COVID-19 update, 54 per cent of all active COVID-19 cases in Manitoba are among First Nation community members across all health regions.
Dr. Marcia Anderson, public health lead with the Manitoba First Nations Pandemic Response Team, said vaccine hesitancy and a large number of First Nation youth that are ineligible for inoculation are contributing to rising case rates.
Community spread is also a major factor, she said.
“We continue to see more spread related to gatherings, particularly indoor gatherings, where we hear afterwards people aren’t masking or there were lots of people there,” Anderson said Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.