A needle and syringe used to administer the flu shot in shown in Virgil, Ont., Monday, October 5, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tara Walton)
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government has rolled up its sleeves to be ready for respiratory virus season.
The province says key elements of its strategy this year include adding 18 new ICU beds — up to a total of 110 adult ICU beds — and expanding pediatric ICU (PICU) capacity to 21 beds. Additionally, 112 new acute care beds have opened, with 70 more planned in the coming months.
The government is also ramping up vaccination efforts. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available across the province, and seniors in long-term care homes can receive the RSV vaccine for free. A province-wide campaign has been launched to raise awareness about respiratory viruses and encourage vaccination.
To support the increased demand for care, Manitoba has hired 873 healthcare workers in the past six months, moving closer to its goal of recruiting 1,000 workers by the end of the year.
“Considerable planning has occurred within the health system in an effort to mitigate or minimize service disruptions during respiratory virus season,” said Dr. Jose Francois, chief medical officer, Shared Health, in a statement.
Watch Wednesday’s news conference:
