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COVID enforcement officials handed out 44 tickets last week.

From Mar. 8 to Mar. 14, a total of $32,228 in fines were issued to Manitoba businesses and individuals.

There were 16 tickets issued to individuals for various offences, four for not wearing a mask when required, and one to a Manitoba business.

Eight of the fines issued to individuals were in relation to private gatherings that went against current health orders.

Two $5,150 fines were issued for breaking the Federal Quarantine Act.

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Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Mar 16, 2021 - 12:17 pm

Canada is changing the recommendations for use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says there is now enough evidence the vaccine is both safe and effective for seniors.

Prior to today's approval, the vaccine had not been recommended for use in those over the age of 65.

Currently in Manitoba, the eligibility criteria for the AstraZeneca vaccine includes those aged 50 to 64 at risk of severe outcomes and First Nations people 30 to 64 at risk of severe outcomes.

It is unclear at this time how the new approval will affect eligibility for the AstraZeneca vaccine in Manitoba.

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Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Mar 16, 2021 - 11:28 am

A pair of traffic stops by Manitoba RCMP last week has led to drug trafficking charges for two men.

On Friday, March 12th, Dauphin RCMP pulled over a vehicle on Highway 5 about 10 kilometres west of Ochre River.

Police say the driver refused to provide a roadside breath sample and was arrested, and a search of the vehicle found a large assortment of cannabis products, approximately 195 grams of cocaine, Canadian currency and an open bottle of liquor.

30-year-old Jory Rowe of Winnipeg faces charges for drug trafficking and refusing to comply with a breath demand, among other charges. He was remanded into custody.

Another traffic stop by Manitoba RCMP the following day resulted in a Duck Bay man facing trafficking charges.

On Saturday, March 13th, officers conducted a traffic stop on a taxi cab in Thompson as part of a drug investigation.

Police say the passenger was arrested and officers seized approximately 140 grams of cocaine and Canadian currency.

28-year-old Christopher Cordell of Duck Bay has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime. He was remanded into custody.

Police say Christopher Cordell of Duck Bay was arrested in possession of approximately 140 grams of cocaine and Canadian currency.

RCMP continue to investigate.

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Contributed by 730 CKDM

Published: Mar 16, 2021 - 10:42 am

The Mountain View School Division (MVSD) has announced a member of the school community at Roblin Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19.

A notice on the MVSD website states the individual informed the school on Monday, March 15th that they had tested positive for COVID.

A letter sent to parents states at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 was in the school when they may have been infectious on March 9th, 10th, and 11th in the Grade 1&2 Keown Classroom, Grades 3&4 Kowalchuk Rathgeber Cohort, and the Grade 5&6 Black Classroom.

Individuals believed to be close contacts have been advised to self-isolate, according to the online statement, and more information has been sent by email to Roblin Elementary families.

The notice from the MVDS also states if you have not received separate direction from the school or a public health official, then you and/or your child have not been deemed a close contact and nothing further is required at this time.

Any questions can be directed to school administration at 204-937-2585.

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Contributed by 730 CKDM

Published: Mar 16, 2021 - 6:59 am

On Monday afternoon Manitoba’s education minister announced some big changes to the structure of the province’s education system.

Cliff Cullen called it a monumental day for education in Manitoba as he provided the details of the overhaul that will see the 37 school divisions in the province reduced to 15.

Unifying the school divisions into one Provincial Education Authority will introduce much-needed change towards improving student classroom results, Cullen says.

Within that authority, 15 regions will be tasked with focusing on local needs. Cullen added that the plan looks to provide parents with an opportunity for “meaningful involvement in local decision-making through new School Community Councils”.

There will be no changes to the French school division, Division Scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM).

He says the province expects up to 40 million dollars to be shifted to the classroom as a result of the restructuring announced today.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Mar 15, 2021 - 4:03 pm

There were 50 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Manitoba on Monday and no new deaths.

Dr. Brent Roussin announced that 18 additional cases of the B.1.1.7 (UK) variant have been identified, bringing the total number of variant cases in Manitoba to 41.

One of the newly announced variant cases is from the Interlake–Eastern health region and 17 are from the Winnipeg health region.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 4.8% provincially and 3.5% in Winnipeg. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba is 32,793.

There are 908 active cases and 30,968 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.

There are 56 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 95 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 151 hospitalizations.

There are 11 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 12 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 23 ICU patients.

The total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 917.

Today’s new cases are from the following Manitoba health districts:
• zero cases in Interlake–Eastern health region
• 16 cases in the Northern health region
• zero cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• three cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• 31 cases in the Winnipeg health region

According to the province’s data, there are active cases of COVID-19 in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (0), Duck Mountain (1), Porcupine Mountain (2), Whitemud (0), Asessippi (2), and Little Saskatchewan (6). Brandon has 9 active cases.

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has no active cases, and the Fisher/Peguis health district has four.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Mar 15, 2021 - 12:47 pm

The vaccination campaign is ramping up this week in Manitoba with pop-up clinics visiting some rural communities throughout the province.

Nationwide there have been over three million vaccine doses given out, with just shy of 600,000 Canadians now fully vaccinated — about 1.5% of the country.

Starting today in Manitoba, vaccination pop-up clinics will be making stops in rural communities, offering a more convenient option for those who don’t want to drive a long distance to the nearest supersite. 

Pop-up clinics in Prairie Mountain Health will be coming to Dauphin at the Ukrainian Orthodox Hall on Whitmore Avenue this Thursday, March 18 (12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) and Friday, March 19th (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) by appointment only.

The pop-up vaccine clinic in Swan River will be located at the Swan River Veteran’s Hall on Wednesday March 24th (12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) and Thursday March 25th (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

This week will also see pop-up clinics coming to Portage la Prairie, Ashern, and Eriksdale. Click here for more information on locations and hours of operation. All are by appointment only.

The eligibility criteria to be vaccinated at the newly launched pop-up clinics is the same as the big city supersites — individuals 77 years of age and older or First Nations people 57 years of age and older.

In order to book an appointment, eligible Manitobans must call 1-844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC).

The AstraZeneca Vaccine In Manitoba

Last week about 18,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine were received in Manitoba and shipped to several pharmacies and medical clinics throughout the province.

“Now that the vaccine has arrived, we are shipping that vaccine out to clinics and pharmacists so they can begin giving the vaccine as soon as possible,” said Johanu Botha, co-lead of Manitoba’s Vaccine Implementation Task Force.

The eligibility criteria to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine includes those aged 50 to 64 at greater risk of severe outcomes — and First Nations people aged 30 to 64 at risk of severe outcomes.

AstraZeneca is currently not recommended for use in Canada for those over the age of 65. This week the National Advisory Committee on Immunization will provide further guidance on this particular vaccine's use in older populations.

An online map on the Government of Manitoba website shows which locations in the province are accepting phone calls to book appointments for the AstraZeneca option.

“After considering all of these factors, individuals who are age 50 to 64, and First Nations people age 30 to 64, will be the first group eligible for this vaccine. We have developed a list of criteria to prioritize people from within this age group. A person’s doctor or pharmacist can make the determination if they should be considered a high priority,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for Manitoba's vaccine task force.

To view the criteria pharmacists and physicians use to determine who receives the AstraZeneca jab, click here.

Several European countries have paused their use of the AstraZeneca vaccine after reports of blood clots in some people. Health Canada maintains the vaccine is still safe to go ahead with and points out that the potential issue with AstraZeneca appears to stem from a particular batch of the vaccine manufactured in Europe.

The caccines currently authorized for use in Canada are shipped to Manitoba by the federal government -- and include Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca/Covishield. Johnson & Johnson's single-dose vaccine has been approved by Health Canada but is not yet available for use in the country. 

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Mar 15, 2021 - 4:05 am

Health officials reported 44 new cases of COVID-19 and one death on Sunday.

The death of a man in his 70s at the Southeast Personal Care Home in the Winnipeg health region brings the number of people to die with COVID-19 in Manitoba to 917.

None of today’s new cases have been identified as variants of concern. There have been 23 total cases of variants of concern — 12 of the B.1.17 (UK) variant and 11 of the B.1.351 (South Africa) variant.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 4.5% provincially and 3.1% in Winnipeg. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba is 32,743.

There are 891 active cases and 30,935 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 in Manitoba.

There are 55 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 93 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 148 hospitalizations.

There are 12 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 11 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 23 ICU patients.

Today’s new COVID cases are from the following health districts:
• two cases in Interlake-Eastern health region
• 14 cases in the Northern health region
• two cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• three cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region
• 23 cases in the Winnipeg health region

According to the province’s data, there are active cases of COVID-19 in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (0), Duck Mountain (1), Porcupine Mountain (2), Whitemud (1), Asessippi (1), and Little Saskatchewan (7). Brandon has 9 active cases.

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has no active cases, and the Fisher/Peguis health district has four.

Details

Contributed by 730 CKDM

Published: Mar 14, 2021 - 1:12 pm

Health officials announced 94 new cases of COVID-19 and four more deaths in the province today.

Three of today’s deaths are in the Winnipeg health region and one is in the Interlake region.

Today’s new COVID-19 cases are in the following health regions:
•    three cases in Interlake-Eastern health region 
•    45 cases in the Northern health region  
•    seven cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region  
•    10 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region
•    29 cases in the Winnipeg health region

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 4.2 percent provincially and 2.9 percent in Winnipeg.

There have been a total of 32,699 cases province-wide and 916 deaths.

There are 909 active cases and 30,873 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. 

There are 56 people in hospital with active COVID-19 and 96 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 152 hospitalizations.  

There are 11 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 and 11 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 22 ICU patients.

According to the province’s data, there are active cases of COVID-19 in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (0), Duck Mountain (1), Porcupine Mountain (2), Whitemud (1), Asessippi (1), and Little Saskatchewan (7). Brandon has 8 active cases.

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 0 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis has 4.

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Mar 13, 2021 - 1:14 pm

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead by an hour before bed on Saturday night.

On Sunday morning the official time change to Daylight Saving Time occurs at 2 a.m., at which point clocks should be set ahead to 3 a.m.

As many provinces and territories get set to move the clocks ahead an hour, Saskatchewan and one other Canadian jurisdiction will be not be taking part.

Four months ago, Yukon moved away from Daylight Saving Time, a process government officials say has gone relatively smoothly.

Yukon’s decision to stop changing the clocks makes it the first place in North America to do so in more than two decades.

Although there have been discussions in Manitoba in recent years around the topic of Daylight Saving Time, there’s no indication our province will be ditching the practice anytime soon.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Mar 13, 2021 - 4:20 am