WINNIPEG The Manitoba government announced on Monday that it has appointed the new chair of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Patricia Solman will now be responsible for directing the WRHA’s management and affairs in order to ensure a responsive health-care system. Solman, who is a chartered accountant, was the vice-chair of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation, and also spent over 30 years at Manitoba Telecom Systems in various roles, including treasurer, vice president of customer service, vice president of operations, and senior vice president of network and field services. She has also held a number of senior board positions for the United Way and spent three years on the national board of Canadian Women in Communications and Technology.
WINNIPEG Nearly 50 more of Manitoba’s health-care workers have contracted COVID-19. According to the province’s latest COVID-19 and seasonal influenza surveillance report from Jan. 17 to 23, 1,845 health workers have contracted the disease since the beginning of the pandemic. This is 48 more cases than in the province’s previous surveillance report. The report notes that two of these health-care workers have died and 1,808 have recovered from the disease. The report shows that 57.7 per cent of these workers are allied health and support staff, 28.7 per cent are nurses/licensed practical nurses, 3.8 per cent are physicians/physicians in training, and 2.1 per cent are first responders. For 7.6 per cent of these cases, their occupation has not been identified.
Winnipeg Free Press By: Editorial | Posted: 7:00 PM CST Friday, Jan. 8, 2021
Editorial
For Manitobans struggling with mental health and addiction issues, a glimmer of hope emerged in this week’s cabinet shuffle.
For Manitobans struggling with mental health and addiction issues, a glimmer of hope emerged in this week’s cabinet shuffle.
On Tuesday, Premier Brian Pallister split the duties of the health portfolio to create a new ministry for mental health, wellness and recovery a historic first for the province and a golden opportunity to address a long-suffering sector that has been plagued by poor access, insufficient co-ordination and inadequate funding.
(Government of Manitoba/Supplied)
Article continues below advertisement ↴
The province says that they have the ability to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine quickly, yet over 5,000 doses remain unclaimed.
A limited set of criteria has been released of who will receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, focussing on those on the front line of COVID-19 healthcare. No other anticipated priority groups for the Pfizer vaccine have been released as the province is only releasing the list of those eligible as vaccines become available. During a Wednesday press conference, Premier Brian Pallister says he expects age will be a factor in the groups.
In total, 5,165 people have been immunized using the Pfizer vaccine. Manitoba has received 22,230 doses of this company s vaccine.