Manitoba healthcare workers no longer need to test negative for COVID-19 to return to work following a positive test.. HSC Manitoba Hospital .Healthcare workers may return to work five days after their COVID-19 symptoms started..A Shared Health spokesperson said it made the decision because of “widespread staffing shortages across the health system.”.“These measures are anticipated to allow some staff to return to work sooner, or to continue working with minor symptoms, maintaining vital services for Manitobans in need of healthcare.”.There are a few rules about returning to work after a positive test: the healthcare worker must feel well enough to “declare themselves fit for work,” have no fever in the past 24 hours, and have no symptoms that prevent them from wearing personal protective equipment..This is the second time Shared Health eased restrictions for healthcare workers regarding COVID-19. .In December, healthcare workers could return after a negative COVID-19 test even if they still had mild symptoms..Also, healthcare workers can keep working if they live with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 as long as they are asymptomatic..The changes went into effect on Monday.. HealthcareHealthcare .A Doctors Manitoba spokesperson told the media “we are taking time to review and to discuss with some physician experts.”.“We note that hospitals are one of the few remaining places where wearing a medical-grade mask remains mandatory,” said the Shared Health spokesperson..Shared Health made the policy change because of “widespread community exposure during the recent Omicron waves, combined with vaccination, has resulted in significant immunity in the general population, and very low reported incidence of repeat infection.”.For immunocompromised healthcare workers, the guidance is slightly different as they must stay at home for 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19..Shared Health said the changes were made because it needs to maintain sufficient staffing coming into the “upcoming respiratory virus season.”.“The changes balance the need to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in health settings with the need to maintain staffing for vital health services, particularly during the upcoming respiratory virus season,” said Shared Health..Winnipeg healthcare lost 53,500 work hours in the first two weeks of October due to staff being off for sick time. However, that's for all illnesses, not just COVID-19..The average lost hours in 2019 was 40,200 hours every two weeks..“While province-wide data is not easily accessible, it is generally believed Winnipeg’s data reflects what health regions outside the capital city have seen,” said the Shared Health spokesperson.
Manitoba healthcare workers no longer need to test negative for COVID-19 to return to work following a positive test.. HSC Manitoba Hospital .Healthcare workers may return to work five days after their COVID-19 symptoms started..A Shared Health spokesperson said it made the decision because of “widespread staffing shortages across the health system.”.“These measures are anticipated to allow some staff to return to work sooner, or to continue working with minor symptoms, maintaining vital services for Manitobans in need of healthcare.”.There are a few rules about returning to work after a positive test: the healthcare worker must feel well enough to “declare themselves fit for work,” have no fever in the past 24 hours, and have no symptoms that prevent them from wearing personal protective equipment..This is the second time Shared Health eased restrictions for healthcare workers regarding COVID-19. .In December, healthcare workers could return after a negative COVID-19 test even if they still had mild symptoms..Also, healthcare workers can keep working if they live with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 as long as they are asymptomatic..The changes went into effect on Monday.. HealthcareHealthcare .A Doctors Manitoba spokesperson told the media “we are taking time to review and to discuss with some physician experts.”.“We note that hospitals are one of the few remaining places where wearing a medical-grade mask remains mandatory,” said the Shared Health spokesperson..Shared Health made the policy change because of “widespread community exposure during the recent Omicron waves, combined with vaccination, has resulted in significant immunity in the general population, and very low reported incidence of repeat infection.”.For immunocompromised healthcare workers, the guidance is slightly different as they must stay at home for 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19..Shared Health said the changes were made because it needs to maintain sufficient staffing coming into the “upcoming respiratory virus season.”.“The changes balance the need to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in health settings with the need to maintain staffing for vital health services, particularly during the upcoming respiratory virus season,” said Shared Health..Winnipeg healthcare lost 53,500 work hours in the first two weeks of October due to staff being off for sick time. However, that's for all illnesses, not just COVID-19..The average lost hours in 2019 was 40,200 hours every two weeks..“While province-wide data is not easily accessible, it is generally believed Winnipeg’s data reflects what health regions outside the capital city have seen,” said the Shared Health spokesperson.
