Spike of delta variant in Manitoba could bring on fourth wave, ICU doctor warns
The province of Manitoba has reported a spike in the confirmed cases of the delta variant—a highly transmissible variant that one ICU doctor warns could bring on the fourth wave of the pandemic if the province reopens too quickly.
Cases of the delta variant—also referred to as the B.1.617.2 variant—jumped in Manitoba over the weekend. The provincial dashboard recorded 54 cases of the variant since the last update on June 4, 2021.
As of Tuesday, the province has recorded 61 total cases of the delta variant. Of these cases, four are considered active and 56 have recovered.
One death has been linked to the delta variant in Manitoba.
A provincial spokesperson told CTV News that data on variants of concern is always reported after a case is identified.
"Public health advises there have been some clusters, but widespread transmission of the virus beyond these clusters into the wider population is not being seen at this time," the spokesperson said in an email to CTV News.
Dr. Anand Kumar, a Winnipeg intensive care physician and infectious disease specialist, said the spike of the delta variant is to be expected.
"This delta variant as I said is significantly more infectious, and there are two other factors that make it particularly more dangerous."
Kumar said the delta variant appears to be resistant to immunity—meaning if Manitobans were infected with other variants of COVID-19, they could still be infected with the delta variant.
The second concern with the variant is it is relatively vaccine resistant, Kumar said.
"If you've gotten a single dose of the vaccine—your protection is pretty minimal," he said, adding there won't be significant protection against the delta variant until about 70 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.
Kumar's concerns are echoed by experts who have called the delta variant a "wild card," saying it has grown at a faster rate compared to other variants.
READ MORE: Delta variant heightens urgency for second doses to stop spread, scientists say
While there are currently only 61 cases of the delta variant in Manitoba, Kumar said it has potential to explode.
He said the province needs to bring down its daily COVID-19 case counts and test positivity rate substantially before considering reopening.
"If we open up earlier than we should, we will be looking at a fourth wave in early fall and that is something I think would be very dangerous," he said.
"If we are going to get a fourth wave—which I think we will if we release our restrictions early—it will be delta."
According to the provincial dashboard, there have been four new cases of the B.1.617 variant and six new cases of the B.1.617.1 variant. As of Tuesday, the province also added one case of the B.1.617.3 variant.
In total, as of Tuesday, the province has recorded 83 cases of the B.1.617 variant and its sub lineages.
The provincial spokesperson told CTV News public health responds to all confirmed COVID-19 cases as if they are variant of concern cases.
The spokesperson said Manitobans are asked to stay home as much as possible, reduce close contacts and get vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.