Thread by @ScottBilleck

MB COVID UPDATE MAR. 3:
- 51 new
- 32,000 T
- 1,146 act
- 901 dead (M: 3-100s, 72-90s, 141-80s, 114-70s, 51-60s, 24-50s, 15-40s, 6-30s, 20s, <10 W: 15-100s, 149-90s, 149-80s, 78-70s, 41-60s, 22-50s, 9-40s, 6-30s, 20s)
- 186 H, 24 ICU
- 29,953 rcv
- 529,722 ts
- 1,788 YD
- TP 3.8%

New cases:

Northern - 30
Winnipeg - 15
Southern - 3
Interlake-Eastern - 3
Prairie Mountain - 0

New deaths:

M40s, M80s. W90s - Winnipeg

New deaths:

M40s, M80s, W90s - Winnipeg

Winnipeg TP rate is 3.2%

the total number of confirmed variant of concern cases of B.1.1.7 is six and B.1.351 is two, bringing the total number of confirmed variant of concern cases to eight.

Good news:

The outbreak at McCreary/Alonsa Health Centre in McCreary has been declared over.

There's a technical issue with the phone line right now, which is why the presser is starting late.

The province is expecting additional guidance coming for spacing between first and second doses.

The province will now delay all second doses to allow more immunizations.

Dr. Reimer says this will require a number of adjustments in their vaccination campaign.

She sites real-world studies that show one dose provides significant levels of protection.

More than 80,000 doses have been administered so far.

Dr. Reimer says she will be getting her first dose later this week. Asked docs to do a self-assessment before to see if they could wait, essentially. Back at the front of the line to protect themselves and patients.

More than just docs. Other health-care workers as well.

Reimer reiterating what she t old media during a technical briefing this morning: all three vaccines safe and effective, despite differences.

The message: take the first vaccine available to you.

The province will honour existing second-dose appointments.

Vaccine eligibility now expanded to those 89 and up and First Nations aged 69 and up.

Selkirk vaccination supersite will open March 8. Appt. booking has begun.

Province comfortable with up to a 4-month delay on second doses, but will be based on NACI guidance.

Reimer says all Manitobans will be reached much quicker with a first dose, but calculations have not been made yet.

REimer says they have reviewed data from B.C., the U.K., etc. on delaying second doses. They don't have four-month delay data yet. But comfortable with consistency up until two months. If any signs that immunity drops, they will pivot again.

Key variable on how quickly vaccinations will be sped up is, as usual, supply from the feds.

If they assume it is evenly distributed, it could be a rosy outlook.

Dr. Reimer says advice for second dose is to stick with the same one you got with the first. That's the current plan, with the exact same product. But science will dictate what happens, including changes.

Reimer says they are compiling a list of high-risk people for AZ vaccines. She said liver failure and kidney failure have been bigger issues in Manitoba for people under 65.

The AZ vaccine will be used for 18-64. It is not advised for use for those 65 and over.

More information on who will be prioritized for AZ will come later.

AZ is a good option for essential workers due to its ability to transport easier.

Reimer says second doses remain important for long-lasting immunity. Doesn't want the wrong message getting out there re delaying the second dose.

The system can handle the pivot, Dr. Botha says.