Daily COVID-19 cases break 100 on Friday, one more death reported in Manitoba

Too soon to call COVID spike a trend: virologist Doctor Jason Kindrachuk said Friday’s 105 new COVID cases does not make a trend, but says it should serve as a reminder to get vaccinated.

WINNIPEG — Manitoba has reported more than 100 cases of COVID-19, along with another death linked to the virus.

According to Manitoba's COVID-19 dashboard updated Friday, the province reported 105 cases. Of these cases, 77 are unvaccinated, nine are partially vaccinated and 19 are fully vaccinated.

This brings Manitoba's total number of cases to 59,203, which includes 539 active cases and 57,464 recoveries.

The last time Manitoba saw cases jump over 100 was on August 28.

Jason Kindrachuk, a virologist with the University of Manitoba, said the one-day increase does not make a trend.

"We're certainly still in the pandemic and hope that this is just a momentary blip," Kindrachuk told CTV News.

He said the takeaway from Friday's numbers is the need to get vaccinated has never been greater.

"We're certainly watching what's happening in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and it certainly isn't to say that's what would happen here by any stretch, but we also want to realize that we have to remain cautious," he said.

"I would urge people to still get vaccinated if they haven't yet, certainly get their second dose if they have only gotten their first, and be wary that the virus is still circulating in our communities."

Kindrachuk said precautions such as wearing a mask and physical distancing are still needed as the more transmissible Delta variant becomes the predominant strain of the virus.

A total of 17,792 cases have been linked to variants of concern, including 298 cases that are active and 17,295 recovered cases. The province has linked 199 deaths to variants of concern.

The province added one more death to the total, which is now sitting at 1,200. No details were provided about the death.

The provincial five-day test positivity rate is three per cent.

As of Friday, 75 people are in hospital with COVID-19. Of these hospitalizations, 36 have active cases, including 27 people who are unvaccinated, four who are partially vaccinated and five who are fully vaccinated.

Of the nine people in intensive care with active COVID-19 cases, seven are unvaccinated and two are partially vaccinated.

As of Friday, the province says 83.3 per cent of eligible Manitobans have received one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine and 78.3 per cent had received two doses.