Manitoba reaches capacity to deliver 20,000 COVID-19 vaccinations a day

Manitoba health officials say the province is now able to deliver 20,000 COVID-19 vaccinations a day, should supply become available.

The province had previously said it was aiming to reach that mark by April 1.

But with the opening of the province’s fifth vaccination super site in Morden this week, Dr. Joss Reimer, lead of Manitoba’s vaccination implementation task force, said Wednesday  immunizers have reached the milestone earlier than had been anticipated.

Data reported by The Canadian Press shows 3,262 doses were given in Manitoba Tuesday.

1:18 Winnipeg disease expert advises taking first COVID-19 available to you

In all 146,529 doses have been given across Manitoba, including 99,091 first doses and 47,438 second doses,  according to the province’s online vaccination dashboard.

That means just under nine per cent of the province’s population has received at least one shot.

Since the first doses started arriving in the province in December, Manitoba has received 233,540 doses of all three vaccines approved for use in Canada.

Last week the province expanded the age eligibility for those able to book vaccination appointments to all Manitobans 65 and over and all First Nations 45 and over.

On Wednesday the province said vaccine appointments are currently available at super sites in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson, Selkirk and Morden and at pop-up clinics in Steinbach, Victoria Beach and Riverton.

Those eligible can book their appointment at a super site through the province’s website or for super sites and pop-ups by calling 1-844-626-8222.

The province says it expects to receive 12,300 more doses of the Moderna vaccine this week.

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out. In situations where you can’t keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend the use of a non-medical face mask or covering to prevent spreading the respiratory droplets that can carry the virus. In some provinces and municipalities across the country, masks or face coverings are now mandatory in indoor public spaces.

For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, visit our coronavirus page.