COVID-19 hospitalizations spike in Manitoba but influenza, RSV rates remain stable

The number of Manitobanshospitalized with COVID-19 has increased, while the rates of influenza andRSV continues to hold stable, according to the latest weeklyprovincial data.

There were 56 people sent to hospital with COVID-19 duringthe week of Feb. 19-25up by 20 from the week prior,according to the latest report from public health, released Friday.

COVID-19 intensive care unit admissions jumped to nine, compared with three during the week of Feb. 12-18.

The total number of COVID-19 deaths is up by four in the latest report,the same increase as the week before.

The COVID-19 test positivity ratejumped to 12.6per cent,from 10.2per cent the previous week.

The report also says a total of124 COVID-19 cases were detected in the latest reporting week, compared with 90 the week before.

However, those numbers are considered to be a significant undercount, since the province only reports cases confirmed through PCR testing, which is limited.

There were no new outbreaks between Feb. 19-25,compared with two a week prior.

Wastewater surveillancesuggested COVID-19 activity inWinnipeg and Brandonwas holding steady at lower levels as of Feb. 21at all sites, the report says.

Influenza

Test positivity rates for influenza A, the most common strain circulating in Manitoba this year, dropped slightly to 0.1per cent the week of Feb. 19-25compared with 0.2per cent the week prior.

There was one newcaseof influenza A, holding steady from theweek before.

There were no flu-related hospitalizations or deaths during the reporting week.

RSV

The rate ofrespiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, continued a weeks-long decline.

There were 56positive cases of RSV detected, compared with 61one week earlier. The numbers have shownsignificant drops from the164 RSV cases reportedduring the first week of 2023.

Test positivity rates for RSVincreased slightly to 5.7 per cent the week of Feb. 19-25, from fiveper cent the previous week.