'Rise in numbers is always concerning': Southern Health Region seeing climbing COVID-19 infection rates
COVID-19 infection rates are climbing in the Southern Health Region at a pace much quicker than the more densely populated Winnipeg Health Region.
Twenty-four of the 60 new COVID-19 cases reported by provincial health officials on Friday, so nearly half, are from the Southern Health Region. Sixteen were counted in the Winnipeg Health Region.
It’s not a one-day blip.
Over the last seven days, the Southern Health Region, which has a population of 211,896 residents according to a 2020 provincial census, saw 157 new COVID-19 cases.
The Winnipeg health region, housing roughly 791,284 people, saw 98 new cases in the same span of time.
When accounting for population, however, there were 10.6 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the Southern Health Region compared to just under two in the Winnipeg Health Region.
In other words, even though the Southern Health Region has roughly a quarter of the population of the Winnipeg Health Region, it’s seeing an infection rate five times higher.
“This was one of the things we were worried about coming into this fourth wave,” said University of Manitoba virologist Jason Kindrachuk.
“We knew that we had lower vaccine uptake rates in the Southern Health Region,” he said, “We knew there was room for the virus to get into those areas and spread very quickly. I think what we’re seeing reflects what we were concerned about in the first place.”
The Southern Health Region has the lowest vaccine uptake rate in Manitoba.
Areas like Stanley and Winkler, both in the health region, currently have vaccination rates of 23.9% and 41%, respectively, the lowest in the province.
Active COVID-19 case rates are also highest in the Southern Health Region.
While Winnipeg has a higher overall active case count (158 active cases) than the Southern Health Region (148 active cases), the numbers look quite different when accounting for population.
Currently the Southern Health Region has 70 active cases per 100,000 residents versus just 20 in the Winnipeg Region.
“That certainly tells us quite a bit,” said Kindrachuk, “It tells us that, yes, the things we are concerned about are taking place right now in regards to accelerated transmission in areas where we have low vaccination rates.”
If this trend continues, Kindrachuk is concerned over the strain current-and-future COVID-19 cases will place on the Manitoba health-care system.
Right now, out of all the districts that make up the Southern Health Region, Steinbach has the most active COVID-19 cases with 29, followed by Hanover with 25.
Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk is concerned with where the trend could lead.
“The rise in numbers is always concerning,” said Funk, “To have restrictions become regional that could happen.”
Funk is hopeful, saying most residents and businesses are following public health orders and vaccinations are rising in the community.
“We are sitting at around 64% vaccinations and it’s climbing, things are looking better,” he said, “I encourage all our residents to get vaccinated.”
Steinbach is still below the province’s vaccine uptake average and Funk said some people are “afraid” of getting vaccinated “because they’re not sure what’s in there.”
Nathan Dyck owns a gym in Steinbach and says he’s heard of other businesses that aren’t following public health orders. He’s worried what that may mean for the community in the months ahead.
“We’re just going to continue with lockdowns,” said Dyck, “with high infection counts and it’s just not going to end for us.”
“For someone who is complying, it’s extremely frustrating.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.