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Public health officials have announced 25 additional probable cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in the province to 64.
Public health officials are investigating possible exposures of these cases.
Public gatherings will be limited to no more than 10 people at any indoor or outdoor place or premises. This includes places of worship, gatherings and family events such as weddings and funerals.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links-Info at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
(Summary pulled from: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/)
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Even though the Countryfest Community Cinema’s doors are closed right now, they have still found a way to bring you movies to watch.
General Manager of the Cinema, Ron Suchoplas, succeeded in finding an online streaming company that’s willing to share 50% of the proceeds with our local cinema.
The two movies available for purchase right now are (1) Bacurau, and (2) Phoenix, Oregon.
Ron explains they are independent films, priced very reasonably.
As Ron puts it, it’s a chance for you to watch something totally different, while supporting a local business.
To directly support our local cinema, all you have to do is visit the Countryfest Community Cinema Website and click the “Video On Demand” tab.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
There are now 3 cases of COVID-19 in the Prairie Mountain Health region, according to the latest update from the Manitoba government.
Of those three cases, 2 are probable positive, and 1 is lab-confirmed.
At this time, PMH is not releasing specifics on the location, age, and gender of the individuals involved.
As a reminder, any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
The latest information from the Manitoba government can be found here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The sudden economic impacts of COVID-19 is a significant challenge for Manitoba.
Finance Minister Scott Fielding announced a move to help ease the economic burden for businesses and to provide greater peace of mind for workers during these uncertain times.
The province is adding a temporary exception to employment standards regulations to give employers more time to recall employees laid off as a result of COVID-19.
That means employers will have more flexibility to recall employees once work picks up again, and avoid severing their employment.
Under current employment standards legislation, employees who have been laid off for eight or more weeks in a 16-week period are deemed to have been terminated and are entitled to wages in lieu of notice.
The minister noted the province will get rid of this exception once the Manitoba begins to recover economically.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Prairie Mountain Health is giving us an update on Dauphin’s COVID-19 community testing site.
The drive-thru testing site that was supposed to open Saturday at the Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) service centre here in Dauphin, is now being relocated.
PMH says the testing site will be at a different location but has not said exactly where that would be.
Once a site is confirmed, that information will be released by PMH.
As a reminder, any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Even though Dauphin Recreation Services’ usual Spring Break program has been put on hold, they’re suggesting some fun activities the whole family can do from home.
There’s a different activity each day next week, with a chance for you to be entered in a daily draw.
All you have to do is share a photo or video of your family doing the daily activity, and tag Dauphin Recreation Services on social media.
Next week’s schedule:
Monday, March 30th - Made It Monday
Post a photo of something that you and your family created. It can be artwork, Lego creations, something you baked, etc.
Tuesday, March 31st - Time to Read Tuesday
Post a photo of what you and your family are reading. Share your book suggestions!
Wednesday, April 1st - Work Out Wednesday
Post a photo of your family exercising together!
Thursday, April 2nd - Theatre Thursday
Post a photo of your family watching a movie and share what movie you watched.
Friday, April 3rd - Fresh Air Friday
Post a photo of your family enjoying the outdoors!
When submitting your photo or video, don’t forget to share on the Dauphin Recreation Services social media page and tag them in your post
The draw winners will be announced at 10 am the day after the activity.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Manitoba government will be establishing five highway checkpoints to provide information to travellers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
No one will be denied entry into Manitoba, but travellers will receive information about Manitoba’s current state of emergency and the need to immediately self-isolate for 14 days after travel within Canada or internationally.
This recommendation does not include:
• the commercial transportation of goods;
• workers who live in a neighbouring jurisdiction and travel to Manitoba for work;
• health care workers who travel to work from outside the province; and
• normal personal travel in border communities including visits to a cottage.
Where checkpoints will be located:
• Ontario border:
- Trans-Canada Highway East (West Hawk Lake/Falcon Lake);
• Saskatchewan border:
- Trans-Canada Highway West (west of Kirkella/Elkhorn/Virden);
- PTH 16 (west of Russell);
- PTH 5W (west of Roblin); and
- PTH 2 (west of Sinclair/Reston/Souris).
Checkpoints are expected to begin operation this week.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
On Thursday around 6:40 p.m., Lundar RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing at a residence located on the Lake Manitoba First Nation.
Upon their arrival, officers located an unresponsive 35-year-old female who was pronounced deceased on scene.
As a result, a 20-year-old male has been arrested and he's currently in police custody and the investigation continues.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
As of 9:30 this morning, public health officials in Manitoba advise three additional probable cases of COVID-19 have been identified.
This brings the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases to 39.
Manitoba has also recorded its first patient death -- a woman in her 60s who was in intensive care.
As of 12:01 a.m. Monday, public gatherings will be limited to no more than 10 people at any indoor or outdoor place or premises. This includes places of worship, gatherings and family events such as weddings and funerals.
It doesn’t apply to a facility where health care or social services are provided including child-care centres and homeless shelters.
Retail businesses including grocery or food stores, shopping centres, pharmacies or gas stations must ensure separation of one to two metres between patrons assembling in the business.
606 tests were performed yesterday, and as of yesterday, 6,203 tests have been performed in Manitoba.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Premier Brian Pallister announced this morning that the government is investing in the mental health of Manitobans with a program to address anxiety caused by the coronavirus.
The province is partnering with Morneau Shepell, Canada’s leading provider of technology-enabled HR services, to launch an internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program, free of charge, to all Manitobans over the age of 16.
The province will spend $4.5 million to provide these services to Manitobans for up to a year.
Health Minister Cameron Friesen made the announcement alongside Pallister.
There is the impact of COVID-19 as well that we do not see and it is equally as real, and equally as important. It is happening in the way we are thinking, the way we are feeling, the way we are behaving, and this needs to be adressed as well."
Morneau Shepell launched this digital therapy program last week in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new program is guided by professional therapists and addresses anxiety symptoms related to the uniquely challenging aspects of pandemics: uncertainty, physical isolation, caring for family and community members, information overload and stress management.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Keystone Agricultural Producers has released a sanitation checklist for farmers.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, KAP says we all must implement safety and sanitation protocols in our daily lives, and our farms need protocols as well.
As preparations are made for the spring planting season, it’s imperative that producers and staff practice appropriate sanitation.
KAP says for on-farm, the best practices include prohibiting all nonessential visitors to your farm, to continue to follow all existing biosecurity and food safety standards that you have in place on your farm.
If you have hired workers, make them aware of expectations for them to stay home from work if they are feeling ill or believe they may have been exposed to COVID 19 and to practice self-isolation.
Share new information about the COVID-19 situation with workers each morning, or at the start of each shift, and ensure that they are following best practices.
The sanitation best practices they suggest include cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms daily, putting hand sanitizer and paper towels in all vehicles and equipment, where possible limit the number of operators for individual vehicles and equipment, establish protocols to sanitize equipment (e.g., wipe door handles, steering wheels, gear shifters, controls, monitors, etc.), and ensure that everyone sanitizes equipment when getting into and out of vehicles and equipment.
In addition, print a handwashing poster and display it in washrooms and workshop to act as a reminder for everyone to practice frequent handwashing, implement a protocol on your farm outlining how often handwashing (for at least 20 seconds) must take place and ensure everyone follows it, ensure that you and your workers distance themselves by six feet where possible (understanding that this may not always be possible depending upon the tasks taking place), and when travelling off-farm, remain in the cab if possible and do not allow other people to enter the vehicle.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
