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Manitoba Public Health reports that cases of COVID-19 and influenza continued to decline last week, with the number of hospital admissions with COVID also down. There has been a steady decline in cases since mid-December.
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Fifty-nine cases of COVID were confirmed in the week ending last Saturday, down from 122 the previous week, according to data released Friday by Shared Health. Hospitalizations have decreased from 28 to seven.
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Overall, laboratory detection has decreased compared to fall 2022. Older adults continue to be at higher risk of infection with COVID-19 associated with hospital admissions and deaths.
Meanwhile, week 3 flu activity continued to decline from the previous week, falling from 18 new cases to 10. This week, influenza A test positivity dropped to 0.8%, lower than the 1.3% seen nationally . The predominant circulating strain is influenza A (H3N2).
Nationally, influenza A detection rates have continued to decline over the past few weeks. Overall, flu activity this season started to pick up earlier than expected and is now below expected levels for this time of year.
Other respiratory viruses continue to co-circulate. RSV detection and positivity rates decreased in week 3 compared to the previous week.
As of last Saturday, 77.9% of all Manitobans had received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, 22.4% had received at least one dose in the past six months.
Effluent monitoring data from January shows sustained COVID-19 activity in Winnipeg and Brandon at lower levels.
gdawkins@postmedia.com
Twitter: @SunGlenDawkins
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