Winnipeg Opens 138 Bed COVID-19 Alternative Isolation Site

New Location to Help Protect Homeless Population from Massive Surge in COVID-19 Cases

Manitoba’s Alternative Isolation Accommodation program is expanding to better protect Manitobans who need space to safely isolate due to COVID-19, including the addition of a 138-room site to primarily serve Winnipeg’s shelter population, Families Minister Heather Stefanson announced today.

“We know the shelter population is particularly vulnerable to the contracting and spread of COVID-19,” said Sharon Kuropatwa, director of housing, supports and service integration, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

As a further interim measure, the province recently issued a call for civil servants and community partners to help staff homeless shelters including the new isolation facility in Winnipeg.

Despite the $3.5 million investment to expand shelter capacity by the Manitoba government, they have been under scrutiny for the surge in COVID-19 cases. Manitoba changed tactics over two weeks ago initiating a circuit breaker which is a full provincial wide lockdown. It still remains to be seen if the case count will be improved after the mandated two week shutdown. 

Manitoba continues to see record cases each day of COVID-19 and has now surpassed 300 deaths. What is alarming with the death toll for Manitoba, is that the province is recording several cases under the age of 50 years of age including a 10 year old that has succumbed to the deadly virus. 

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