New hospitalization and ICU admissions due to COVID-19 continue to decline the day before public health orders are relaxed in Manitoba.

The province says that there were 258 new hospitalizations for the week ending Feb. 10. That's a 12.2 per cent decrease from the previous week according to the province's data. There were also 30 new ICU cases, an 11.8 per cent decrease from the previous week.
 
There were 19 more deaths reported over the course of the last three days.
 
Public health officials advise 19 new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:
• a male in his 80s from Southern Health-Santé Sud (reported Saturday); 
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Saturday); 
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Saturday); 
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Saturday); 
• a male in his 50s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Saturday); 
• a male in his 100s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Meadowood Manor personal care home (reported Saturday); 
• a male in his 90s from the Prairie Mountain Health region and linked to the outbreak at St. Paul’s home (reported Saturday);
• a female in her 40s from the Northern health region (reported Saturday); 
• a male in his 70s from the Prairie Mountain Health region (reported Saturday);
• a female in her 80s from the Northern health region (reported Saturday); 
• a male in his 70s from Interlake-Eastern health region (reported Sunday); 
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Sunday); 
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre (reported Sunday); 
• a female in her 80s from Interlake-Eastern health region and linked to the outbreak at Tudor House (reported Sunday);
• a male in his 70s from Interlake-Eastern health region and linked to the outbreak at Rosewood Lodge (reported Sunday);
• a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Victoria General Hospital, 4 North, (reported Sunday); 
• a female in her 70s from Interlake-Eastern health region (reported Sunday);
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Monday); and
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Monday).
 
One death reported Sunday has been removed as, after investigation, it was determined not to be COVID-19 related. 

The government says that only symptomatic individuals or those advised by public health should visit a COVID-19 provincial testing site. Rapid antigen tests will continue to be used for the majority of people visiting a provincial testing site. Those who are at higher risk of severe illness as well as some groups who have tested positive on a rapid antigen test will still be eligible for PCR testing.

Outbreaks at three facilities were declared over, including at the Grace Hospital, 3 North, in Winnipeg, Hillcrest Place personal care home, in Brandon, and Douglas Campbell Lodge personal care home, in Portage la Prairie.
 
Manitobans who have been infected with COVID-19 are now recommended to wait two to three months after the infection before getting a booster dose. This recommendation follows the latest guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. Manitobans are advised not to assume that recovery from an infection is sufficient for immunity. Those who prefer to get their booster dose sooner, or if their primary care provider recommends a booster sooner, can go ahead and schedule a booster dose appointment.