Winnipeg Free Press Manitoba reports 179 daily cases; variant infections rise By: Danielle Da Silva and Katie May | Posted: 1:37 PM CDT Friday, Apr. 9, 2021 The arrival of the third wave in Manitoba and the rise of highly contagious strains of COVID-19 have prompted public health officials to reconsider how vaccines are prioritized. The arrival of the third wave in Manitoba and the rise of highly contagious strains of COVID-19 have prompted public health officials to reconsider how vaccines are prioritized. Manitoba's task force is looking to expand priority groups for immunization as officials watch neighbouring provinces adjust to the B.1.1.7 variant that's firmly taking hold. The strain, which was first detected in the U.K., attaches to human cells much more easily and spreads faster. Researchers still don't know why the variant makes some people sicker.