Cynthia Carr: Latest News

COVID-19 statistics show Manitobans should remain vigilant about the virus.The province’s latest ranking on the hazard index — which combines current infections, hospital strain and mortality — is at a seven, while Canada as a whole is sitting at a six.Those numbers are from COVID-19 Resources Canada, a database that collects information about the virus and the health-care responses from across the country.Winnipeg epidemiologist Cynthia Carr says the numbers may have gone down since school returned, but Manitobans aren’t out of the woods yet when it comes to COVID-19.“We just had Thanksgiving weekend, so lots of people travelling, getting together,” Carr told 680 CJOB’s Connecting Winnipeg.“We’ll have to look at the impact of that, (as well as) moving into the next holiday season where people tend to get together.” Former Beatle’s Winnipeg show nixed due to positive COVID-19 test Based on the database’s statistics, roughly one in 20 Manitobans currently has COVID-19, and the province’s hazard ranking has been at a similar level as other western provinces like Alberta and B.C.

Omicron, appears to be on the rise in Manitoba.According to a provincial spokesperson, as of mid-March, 11.8 per cent of COVID-19 tests were the BA.2 subvariant and recent sequencing suggests the rate of BA.2 is increasing.With a lack of surveillance and a lack of widespread COVID-19 PCR testing, the numbers are skewed, and experts say it’s likely much higher.“Given how long this has probably been circulating and our reduction in access to lab-based testing it would be likely that those ratios are probably higher,” epidemiologist Cynthia Carr told Global News.She added that the rate the original BA.1 Omicron variant multiplied is another indicator the numbers are higher. BA.2 could mean new COVID-19 wave: scientists Experts say the more transmissible BA.2, coupled with a lack of COVID-19 restrictions in place, could be the concoction that fuels a spring wave of COVID-19.“It won’t be surprising at all if there is a spring wave associated with this variant,” Carr said.Virologist Jason Kindrachuk says BA.2 will likely push out BA.1 as the dominant strain, just as Omicron overtook Delta.“What we’re understanding now is BA.2 looks to be a bit more transmissible or transmissive than BA.1,” Kindrachuk said.“That of course, puts us into the awkward position of saying, once again, we have another variant, that is more transmissible than the last variant.”Kindrachuk said that so far, research suggests the severity of BA.2 is similar to BA.1’s.

The Start.“Maybe with the exception of pharmacies and a few independents.”As for customers, Graham suggested it may take a while for most people to feel comfortable shedding their masks in crowded stores.“What we saw in other provinces over the past couple of weeks is you start off with maybe 20 per cent not wearing masks, and within a couple of weeks, we see 50 per cent of customers not wearing masks.“But you’ll still see some customers — due to their personal situations — wearing masks, and really just evolving toward whatever the individual’s situation requires.” Nearly two years later, mask mandate in Manitoba schools coming to an end Manitoba's mask mandate ends on Tuesday. Are you ok with that? – Mackling, Megarry & McNabb— 680 CJOB (@680CJOB) March 14, 2022While masks are likely on the way out in most cases, Graham said he foresees other safety items like the plexiglass barriers you see in some stores to remain — at least for a while longer.“I expect it to remain for some time, really in part because we don’t know what future waves may bring us,” he said.“The overall belief of employers is they want to create a safer workplace for their employees.”Epidemiologist Cynthia Carr said masks have been proven to have an impact on reducing the odds of getting infected, especially as the pandemic has progressed and Manitobans have been moving toward higher-quality face coverings.“We do know that it has been difficult to get really solid studies in the beginning of this pandemic.

COVID-19: Pfizer deliveries confirmed for Manitoba, walk-in for youth opens in Winnipeg “It’s a good, succinct term that I hope catches people’s attention: ‘variant factory,'” Cynthia Carr tells 680 CJOB.What is that?Carr says it could be the body of anyone who gets COVID-19.“The virus cannot live and thrive outside of a living cell — it needs that cell to survive.”“If you are not vaccinated, you are a target for the virus. The virus enters in your cell — and once it’s in there, it makes millions of copies.”But sometimes, that frenzied copying process messes up, and mutations are born.“Sometimes they don’t matter, they’re of no consequence, they don’t make the virus stronger,” Carr explains.

COVID-19 intensive care cases drop to a “more positive situation.”Dr. Neil Rau, an assistant professor in the University of Toronto School of Medicine who frequents a number of hospitals in the GTHA, told Global News there were still a significant number of patients being transferred to intensive care units (ICU) from region to region last week but says a recent decline in test positivity numbers is showing some promise.“There is still considerable strain and we still had stories of people being transferred long distances to Ottawa or Thunder Bay for ICU care,” said Rau.

Easter long weekend as COVID-19 variants of concern remain a threat.Cynthia Carr, founder of EPI Research, said there is a race between the variants and the vaccines and people getting together for the holiday will only help the variants get ahead. What’s open and closed in Winnipeg over the holiday weekend? “It’s really important at this time to really be cautious,” Carr said.

COVID-19, but a local epidemiologist says the effect it appears to have had on Manitoba’s flu numbers this year can be considered nothing short of a win.Amazingly, Manitoba has recorded just one case of influenza this flu season, a number so low — and unprecedented — Cynthia Carr, the founder of EPI Research Inc., says technically, we can’t even say we had flu season at all.

COVID-19.As seniors across the province continue to get vaccinated, epidemiologist Cynthia Carr says visiting with your grandparents the same way you used to should still be off the table.“Within the public health guidelines, when you do get together with people who are more vulnerable, even if they’ve been vaccinated, I would still stick with the masks for now until more people are vaccinated and we’re seeing that continued decline in community spread,” she explained. Coronavirus vaccine opens to Manitobans 80 and over, First Nations 60 and over For most Canadian seniors, family visits have been few and far between over the past year.“I don’t go as often and I can’t go and visit others.

COVID-19 in a group predominantly made up of healthcare professionals in Alberta was published Tuesday, shining a spotlight on the role socializing may have played in the spread of the virus.The outbreak at the Annual Western Canadian Medical Bonspiel in Edmonton in 2020 took place in the early days of the pandemic and was one of the first large-scale outbreaks in the province.

COVID-19 variant in the province, a Winnipeg epidemiologist says people should be on high alert.Cynthia Carr, founder of EPI Research, said while it’s not helpful to scare anyone, she is encouraging Manitobans to stay vigilant, even if they’re feeling fatigued.“The challenge is that the variant didn’t change to be more noticeable,” Carr said.The new COVID-19 variants, first discovered in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil, appear to be up to 70 per cent more transmissible.

One year since Canada’s 1st COVID-19 case. Here’s how daily life has changed for some Carr said the lifting of restrictions is a good thing, provided Manitobans continue to be careful and cautious going forward.

coronavirus restrictions later this week.It could include allowing businesses to reopen or sell non-essentials, or changes to rules surrounding gathering sizes and household contacts.The province currently has a survey out, asking for public input on what restrictions should change or remain in place.Epidemiologist Cynthia Carr says the approach will need to be slow and steady, and will likely be heavily based on data. Carr says the data for retail businesses and personal services looks favourable.

COVID-19 case numbers appear to be heading in the right direction as the end of 2020 approaches, but declining case numbers come amid rising test positivity rates.Just 107 cases were reported on Monday, but lower testing during the holidays has seen the test positivity rate shoot up to 12.6 per cent from 10 per cent. Remembering Manitobans lost to COVID-19 With Christmas now in the rearview, epidemiologist Cynthia Carr says we just have to look back to the previous holiday — Thanksgiving — to see why limiting contacts, even during the holidays, is so important.“You know, in the end of November, (we had) high 300s into 400 new cases a day.

a poll released Wednesday, including six-in-ten who “strongly” support the idea.The authors of the poll, done by Probe Research Inc., point out there is considerable overlap between those who support a mask mandate, those who say they already regularly wear one regularly, and those who are comfortable with others wearing masks.They are women – especially those over age 55 – Winnipeggers, and those with higher levels of education.“I think it’s really positive that people are supportive of the mandatory mask laws and understanding that we need to work together to stop the chain of transmission,” says Cynthia Carr, epidemiologist and founder of EPI Research Inc., which helped put together the poll.“When something is mandatory sometimes that

coronavirus throughout the pandemic may not be fully recovered, says a Winnipeg epidemiologist.Epi Research founder Cynthia Carr told 680 CJOB that lingering impacts aren’t uncommon among patients who didn’t end up in the hospital or the ICU.

4 new COVID-19 cases as Phase 4 of Manitoba’s reopening plan launched “Within every stage and phase and policy being contemplated, there’s really no risk-free options,” said Cynthia Carr, an EPI Research Inc. epidemiologist and principal.

No new cases of COVID-19 in July, Manitoba sees 11-day streak The total number of lab-confirmed and probable positive cases in Manitoba remains at 325, officials said.As of Friday, health officials said there are four active cases in the province with 314 recoveries and seven deaths.Just over 900 tests were performed Thursday, the highest test count in recent weeks.“We didn’t want to get too excited when we were three, four, five days without a case because we knew it could rear its head up to 10 or 14 days after being infected.

coronavirus pandemic is consistent with that of the World Health Organization.Cynthia Carr of EPI Research told 680 CJOB there’s a reason why Dr. Brent Roussin is recommending mask use when physical distancing isn’t possible, despite Manitoba’s low transmission numbers.Carr said implementing mandatory mask use would be complicated and challenging to enforce — so Roussin is smart to use it as just one of many strategies against COVID-19.“Masks are considered part of a comprehensive approach,” said Carr.“They’re never to be thought of instead of the other approaches that are already in place.

coronavirus, there are more options of activities for Canadians, both inside and outside.Shopping malls have reopened across Canada and hair salons have, too.

COVID-19 in Manitoba Sunday.Saturday, Manitoba saw four new cases announced by public health officials, which was the highest daily total since May 1, and a sign “we’re not out of the woods” according to epidemiologist Cynthia Carr.The total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in the province stands at 322.As of Friday, no one was in hospital or intensive care due to the virus, and health officials said there were currently 15 active cases while 300 people have recovered.The province has had seven deaths from COVID-19 since March.

A Winnipeg epidemiologist says health officials are going to have to keep a close eye on coronavirus data as they work out how — and when — Manitoban children return to school.