Resource Library

Within this section you will find all downloadable forms and the documents pertaining to the CMLTM in PDF format.

COVID-19 Related Documents

COVID-19 Update – A Return to Symptomatic Testing

Effective June 13, 2022, a change in guidance related to COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic individuals will take effect. Resources and information on this change are below.

Testing requirements have evolved over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, in response to clinical guidance and regularly monitored indicators of transmission.  Extensive consultation has occurred with experts in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and clinical leadership. 

As a result, testing for COVID-19 should transition to a symptom-based approach, in addition to circumstances where directed by clinical assessment. Asymptomatic testing in any modality should stop, except where clear exceptions exist.

This change aligns with the known level of transmission of the virus throughout Manitoba in recent months and the observed decrease in infection amongst asymptomatic individuals admitted to health-care facilities.

Asymptomatic individuals – regardless of vaccination status and/or reported COVID-19 infection in the past six months do not require routine testing before admission to hospital or personal care home. This includes patients admitted for labour and delivery, however if an infant is admitted to an NICU in an open pod, the mother should be tested even if she is asymptomatic.

Similarly, asymptomatic individuals – regardless of vaccination status and/or reported COVID-19 infection in the past six months do not require routine testing for COVID-19 prior to admission to hospital for surgery. 

Clinical circumstances will guide the need of asymptomatic testing in certain circumstances, but can only be undertaken with approval of Regional Infection Prevention and Control staff, in discussion with the on-call Microbiologist.

There is no change in approach to symptomatic individuals with clinical findings consistent with COVID-19.  These patients should be tested (PCR or rapid/point of care test) for COVID-19 upon admission to hospital (including labour and delivery) or PCH. 

Surveillance

As part of surveillance, in selected areas (ICU); asymptomatic testing should continue (laboratory-based PCR) upon admission.

This memo is also available online at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/files/covid-19-return-to-symptomatic-testing.pdf

Full guidance is available here:

As always, up-to-date information is available at the following locations:

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Important Documents

Informational Documents

PHIA Amendments (Jan 1, 2022)