No new COVID-19 deaths in Manitoba, hospitalizations down by 11

There are no new reported deaths due to COVID-19 in Manitoba Tuesday, and hospitalizations are down by 11from Monday, dropping to 463, according tothe government's online dashboard.

Currently, 30 people are in the intensive care unit due to COVID-19.

The total number of ICU patients in Manitoba is currently 99, up from 94 on Monday. This includes non-COVID patients.

Pre-pandemic, the baseline rate for Manitoba's critical care programwas 72.

Manitoba's five-day test positivity rate decreased to 15.9 per centfrom 16.7 per cent Monday.

A total of 222 cases were confirmed by lab tests on Tuesday, doubling Monday's 111 new cases.

This is an undercount of the true number of infections in the province due to limited access to polymerase chain reaction testing.

There are currently an estimated 9,606 active cases, which is also an undercount.

A total of 1,205 tests were completed Tuesday.

COVID-19 vaccinationrates remain at 86.2 per cent of eligible Manitobans with one dose, 82 per cent with two doses, and 43.8 per cent with a booster shot.

As of Tuesday,vaccine mandates have been lifted in Manitoba. Mask mandates will be lifted March 15.

Although the vaccine mandates have ended, the cards and verifier app are still available, and businesses will still be able to require proof of vaccination at their own discretion.

Long-term care homes and acute care homes will continue to use the cards and app for some in-person visits.

To date, 1,680 Manitobans have died due to COVID-19.