Nearly 30K direct care workers fully vaccinated: Shared Health
The majority of direct care workers in Manitoba are fully vaccinated, according to Shared Health.
On Monday, it will be mandatory for front-line health care staff to have both COVID-19 vaccine doses or undergo routine testing. Of the 42,000 staff, physicians, and others with direct contact with patients, residents, clients or their environments, 29,707 have indicated they are fully vaccinated.
Shared Health said as of noon Friday, 26,220 of those reports had been validated, with the rest of the submissions still being confirmed.
“Over the past several weeks, the health system has been working to validate the vaccination status of all direct care workers, either through one-on-one discussions between individuals and their managers, an online portal, and – for those who consent – use of an automated validation process involving use of their personal health identification number,” said a Shared Health spokesperson.
In total, 31,508 workers have completed the disclosure process. Shared Health said 1,801 individuals have been identified as requiring testing. They work in a variety of roles and professions across the province.
Shared Health said staff who are not fully vaccinated will be required to have a current, valid negative test result prior to the start of their shift. They will be required to complete a self-administered rapid test, which in most cases will take place in the workplace.
It said testing is to be completed on the worker’s personal time, with negative results valid for up to 48 hours.
“In addition, all students completing a clinical placement that involves direct care are also required to be fully compliant with the public health orders,” said the spokesperson. “Our partners at the involved educational institutions are supporting validation of vaccination status, or – in some cases – rapid testing of students who are not fully vaccinated.”
Shared Health noted workers who are not fully vaccinated, or have not disclosed their vaccination status, and refuse to participate in regular rapid testing will be immediately placed on an unpaid leave of absence. It said no pension contributions will be submitted while they are on leave and they will not be permitted to access vacation, sick, stat or overtime banks.
Direct care workers will continue to receive reminders through the weekend to complete the online disclosure form.
Shared Health said it expects the number of validated fully vaccinated workers will continue to rise over the weekend and into the coming weeks. It said contingency plans are in place to ensure ongoing health services for Manitobans and to support efficient rapid testing for staff who need it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
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.
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.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.