Manitoba to replace most PCR tests with rapid antigen tests at all testing sites as hospitalizations rise

Manitoba is replacing most PCR testing with rapid antigen tests at all COVID-19 testing sites, effective immediately.

2:22 Manitoba schools moving back to remote learning until Jan. 17

Dr. Jazz Atwal, the deputy chief of public health, said that in most cases, a rapid test is sufficient, but there will be exclusions for some who need a PCR test.

They include symptomatic people who fall into one of the following groups:

• hospitalized patients
• patients seeing a physician if the physician determines that a PCR COVID-19 test is important for medical management
• children or others who are unable to do a self-test and/or at home test
• people with an immune system moderately to severely weakened by disease or medical treatment
• people who may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment and determined by a prescribing clinician to require a PCR test
• people experiencing homelessness or are under-housed
• people who have traveled outside of Canada in the past 14 days
• people who tested positive on a rapid antigen test and are
• health care workers who provide direct patient care and first responders
• staff who have direct contact with patients, residents, and clients in hospitals and congregate living settings/residential care facilities (including personal care homes, assisted living, group homes, shelters and correctional institutions)

Asymptomatic designated persons as described in the Orders Requiring Vaccination or Testing for Designated Persons:

• designated family caregivers of a personal care home (PCH) resident
• symptomatic residents in congregate living settings/residential care facilities if there has been no known case in the facility or specific unit in last 14 days
• people who may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment and determined by a prescribing clinician to require a PCR test
• elementary and secondary students, and children in childcare facilities
• education and childcare staff (continued access at Fast Pass sites)
• people admitted or transferred to or from hospital or PCHs
• people having surgery
• high-risk contacts and asymptomatic/symptomatic people as part of initial investigation in the context of confirmed or suspected
• outbreaks in high-risk settings, including hospitals, congregate living settings/residential care facilities as directed by public health;
• people advised by public health officials;
• residents of First Nation communities; and
• before travel to or return to First Nations and Indigenous and Northern Relations communities.

Rapid antigen tests were already being handed out at the drive-thru sites in Winnipeg.

Atwal said the change is to further reduce the backlog of testing and ease pressure on the testing sites.

On Wednesday, there were 252 hospitalizations reported, up from 251 on Tuesday. New cases included 1,790 and 10 more deaths. Of those cases, 279 people were not fully vaccinated.

Atwal said 4,822 laboratory tests were completed Wednesday.

Manitoba, like all other provinces and territories in Canada, is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, which is more transmissible but appears to be less lethal than Delta, the previous variant of concern.

Delta is still circulating in the province, said Atwal, especially in the Southern Health region, but said Omicron is now the dominant strain.

On Tuesday, the province also announced a one-week transition to remote learning for students, from Jan. 10 to Jan. 17.

Daycares are being asked to remain open but to prioritize children of essential workers for care.

The province will also distribute five million more masks for students and teachers and more rapid tests.