Doctors Manitoba, which represents 4,000 physicians across the province, says the backlog of surgeries and diagnostic tests has grown to more than 52,000 cases.
Some Ontario workplaces offer rapid tests for their employees, and children in publicly funded schools are being sent home for the December break with a kit of five rapid tests each.
A petition demanding free rapid antigen tests for all residents has garnered thousands of signatures and doctors and pharmacists are pushing for more tests on Twitter.
Doctors Manitoba has released its monthly statistical rundown, which says the number of people waiting for cardiac, knee and other surgeries has grown by more than 2,000 since last month.
The COVID-19 Science Advisory Table says public health measures and increased vaccination are needed to reduce virus transmission as cases rise in most public health units.
Cpl. Jennifer Cooper says about a dozen people voiced their opinions against vaccines at a clinic in Prince George on Monday, and some of them followed families to their vehicles.
