WINNIPEG — A Manitoba COVID-19 patient who was being transferred to a hospital in Ontario has died.

Shared Health, the body that co-ordinates clinical care in Manitoba, says the patient became unstable prior to takeoff earlier this week and was immediately returned to the health facility from where they came.

Shared Heath says the patient died the following day.

Manitoba has had to start sending some of its COVID-19 patients in intensive care to other provinces to free up bed space.

In the legislature, Opposition New Democrat Leader Wab Kinew says the government has put lives at risk by not ensuring patients can be treated in Manitoba.

Premier Brian Pallister says the number of intensive care beds in the province has been expanded and is now well above what it was under the former NDP government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2021.

The Canadian Press