Manitoba enlists Red Cross for contact tracing

WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government has brought the Canadian Red Cross on board to bolster the public health system’s contact tracing capabilities. According to the province, contact tracing is being done by regional public health staff and the Public Health COVID-19 Contact Centre.The Canadian Red Cross will support case investigation, contact tracing and daily follow up with confirmed cases and contacts during self-isolation.

The province said Statistics Canada will also provide contact tracing services to Manitoba through an agreement with the federal government.

“The Canadian Red Cross has been selected to provide additional contact tracing services for the province,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living minister, Cameron Friesen (pictured). “Having the additional support from Red Cross builds contact tracing capacity, which is critical to managing increased case counts and a greater volume of associated close contacts.”

This additional contact tracing capacity from the Canadian Red Cross will come online once their initial set-up and planning period is complete.

Case and contact investigation of confirmed cases of COVID-19 remains one of the most effective public health strategies to reduce transmission in our province. This work will be undertaken by regional public health staff, the Public Health COVID-19 Contact Centre, Canadian Red Cross and other partners to support case investigation, contact tracing and daily follow-up of cases and contacts during their self-isolation.

Statistics Canada, through an agreement with the federal government, will also be providing contact tracing services to Manitoba.

The Manitoba government has also been opening new COVID-19 testing sites.

“Our government is exploring every avenue to expand our options in the COVID-19 response, particularly as we are seeing cases on the rise,” said Friesen. “More testing sites mean Manitobans can access testing faster, and expanded contact tracing options means we will have more information we can use to combat the effects of COVID in our communities.”