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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca