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Last night the first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Canada.

Distribution is set to begin today where vaccines are to be sent to 14 distribution sites across the country, in all 10 provinces.

Trudeau made the arrival announcement on Twitter last night, adding,

“This is good news. But our fight against COVID-19 is not over. Now more than ever, let’s keep up our vigilance.”

Manitoba will be receiving enough doses to immunize about 900 people.

Healthcare workers in the province can now make an appointment to receive the vaccine, with inoculations beginning Wednesday.

In order to be eligible for the vaccine, health care workers must have direct contact with patients and meet set criteria.

Older workers in direct contact with patients as well as those in the clinics will be at the front of the line, and the government says bookings will be accepted in the order they are received.

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Contributed by Isaac Wihak

Published: Dec 14, 2020 - 6:52 am

For the past week, if you looked up to the night sky, you might’ve been able to catch a glimpse of the Geminid meteor shower.

The annual meteor shower runs from December 4^th to 17^th when the Earth moves through debris from the asteroid, 3200 Phaethon.

Tonight's forecast in Dauphin calls for clear skies with a low of minus 22.

Scott Young, planetarium astronomer at the Manitoba Museum, is looking forward to the peak of the meteors on Sunday night. 

"The Geminids meteor shower is actually the best meteor shower of the whole year. It just doesn't get a lot of attention because it happens in December, which is often pretty cold for getting out there and looking at the stars. But, it really is the best and most reliable meteor shower."

The forecasted clear skies mixed with the moon nearing the darkest point of its cycle could result in one of the best views in years.

If you look to the east/southeast after 7 p.m. you’ll have the best chance at seeing some shooting stars.

Young has another tip for watching the Geminids.

"To see a meteor, they only last a second, it's like a falling star or shooting star, it's like pew! Don't blink or you'll miss it because it's only there a few seconds. So if you're looking down at your phone or you're looking away from the sky, you're really going to miss some of the activity. So, if you want to see meteors, you have to look at the sky continuously and keep any lights away from your eyes."

Under ideal conditions, up to 150 meteors can be seen an hour, sometimes even producing colourful fireballs.

If you don't want to go outside to watch the meteors, Young says the planetarium will be live streaming the event on the Manitoba Museum's Facebook and YouTube.

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Contributed by Isaac Wihak

Published: Dec 13, 2020 - 1:00 pm

Health officials announced 273 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, along with 7 more deaths.

None of the deaths announced are from the Prairie Mountain Health region. Five of the seven recently announced deaths were in care homes.

The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.

There are ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks at several health care facilities in Prairie Mountain Health. 

The latest update from the province on Friday reports a total of 41 cases identified at the Gilbert Plains Personal Care Home (17 staff, 24 non-staff, 8 deaths). A total of 33 COVID cases have reported at the Grandview PCH (10 staff, 23 non-staff, 2 deaths). One staff member tested positive at the Winnipegosis PCH and is now considered recovered.

A 2nd outbreak at the Swan Valley Health Centre was declared on Dec. 7 — the province says the outbreak is linked to the positive COVID test of an individual considered “non-staff”.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.5% provincially and 13% in Winnipeg. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba is now 21,023.

There are 5,728 active cases and 14,805 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.

There are 304 people in hospital with 43 people in intensive care due to COVID-19.

The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 490. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

• 17 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region
• 50 cases in the Northern health region
• 18 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• 22 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• 166 cases in the Winnipeg health region. 

According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (4), Riding Mountain (10), Swan River (1), Porcupine Mountain (43), Duck Mountain (19), Asessippi (4), Little Saskatchewan (5), Whitemud (1), Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon has 134 active cases.

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 26 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 36.

Public health officials advise seven additional deaths in people with COVID-19 have been reported today including: 

• a female in her 70s from the Interlake-Eastern health region, linked to the Kin Place outbreak in Oakbank;
• a female in her 60s from the Northern health region;
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home;
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at the Charleswood Care Centre
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at the N3W unit at Concordia Hospital
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at the Maples Long Term Care Home
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at Park Manor Care

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Dec 13, 2020 - 12:54 pm

The anti-lockdown rally planned in Dauphin for Sunday afternoon has been cancelled by organizers.

The update was announced in an email sent late Saturday afternoon, with organizers cancelling the Dauphin Freedom Rally “until further notice”.

The group organizing the rally — who say they’re comprised of 6 members — planned on welcoming community members to gather at the Dauphin City Hall parking lot from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to “bring attention to the unfair lockdowns and support businesses facing hardships.”

Current public health orders in the province of Manitoba prohibit any indoor or outdoor gathering larger than five.

Officials with the City of Dauphin released a statement Friday evening clarifying they did not authorize the use of City property for any organized events this weekend, stating "any gathering greater than five people is a contravention of the current Provincial Public Health Orders," and urged residents to follow all Health Orders to ensure public safety. 

In light of the cancellation, rally organizers also stated “we, as a group were never expecting to be at odds nor confrontational with our law enforcement. We acknowledge their instruction and understand the predicament it places them in with fellow Dauphinites.”

Going forward, the group says they will try approaching city council in support of the business community.

The announcement of the rally drew strong criticism on social media, prompting rally organizers to release the following statement:

“We will take this opportunity and respond to some of the comments made to our families and friends. It saddens a person to read the ugliness in people and how wishing covid on our families or some should lose their jobs all because we just wanted to support our local businesses is shameful behaviour. We don't know where the friendliness in Dauphin went but it sure wasn't here today in support of fellow Dauphinites businesses.”

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Dec 13, 2020 - 6:08 am

Health officials announced another 18 deaths and 360 new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba today.

The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

• 56 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• 52 cases in the Northern health region;
• 26 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 28 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 198 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (4), Riding Mountain (10), Swan River (1), Porcupine Mountain (39, up from 29), Duck Mountain (19), Asessippi (4), Little Saskatchewan (5), Whitemud (1), Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon has 125 active cases.

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 28 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 38

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.9 percent provincially and 13.2 percent in Winnipeg.

Manitoba has a total of 20,750 cases. Of those cases, 5,630 are active cases and 14,637 have recovered.

There are 289 people in hospital with 42 people in intensive care. The number of deaths is 483. 

Public health officials advise 18 additional deaths in people with COVID-19 have been reported today including: 

• a male in his 40s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 60s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 60s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care Home
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 60s from the Interlake–Eastern health region
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Oakview Place Personal Care Home
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region; 
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Oakview Place Personal Care Home
• a male in his 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• a male in his 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at Bethesda Regional Health Centre
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care Home and
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care Home

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Dec 12, 2020 - 1:06 pm

Manitoba health care workers can now make appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Eligible health care workers can book an appointment to be immunized at a clinic starting Wednesday, December 16^th.

In order to be eligible for the vaccine, health care workers must have direct contact with patients and meet the following criteria:

• work in critical care units, born on or before Dec. 31, 1970;
• work in acute care facilities, born on or before Dec. 31, 1960;
• work in long term care facilities, born on or before Dec. 31, 1960; or
• be assigned to COVID-19 immunization clinics.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved by Health Canada earlier this week, and Manitoba is set to get an initial 1,950 doses, enough to immunize about 900 people (with 2 doses each).

More information about additional clinics will be provided as soon as possible and will be based on deliveries of vaccine to the province.  

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Dec 12, 2020 - 12:53 pm

The Canada-U.S. border closure has been extended for another 30 days.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the border will remain closed until at least January 21^st.

The border has been closed since March, and is open to essential travel only including the trucking industry and health care workers in border communities.

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Dec 11, 2020 - 6:04 pm

A man from Waywayseecappo First Nation is facing assault charges after an incident early this week.

On Monday, Dec. 7 around 10:30 a.m., Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) officers responded to reports that a woman had been aggressively assaulted.

Responding officers say the 25-year-old victim informed them she was attacked by her ex-boyfriend who allegedly broke into her home through a window, assaulting and choking her.

The victim described the suspect as extremely intoxicated and in possession of a knife. 

Police located the suspect shortly after, where he was arrested and taken into custody. 

A 28-year-old man from Waywayseecappo First Nation faces charges of assault with a weapon, unlawfully dwelling in a house, mischief under $5000 and failing to comply with a release order, among other charges.

The suspect was held in custody and scheduled to appear in court at a later date. 

Details

Contributed by 730 CKDM

Published: Dec 11, 2020 - 4:48 pm

A number of outdoor activities are still on the table for Manitobans to enjoy during code red restrictions.

Public health officials have provided some guidelines for safely enjoying the physical & mental health benefits of the outdoors, while limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Activities like cross country skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, hiking and running are all allowed — as long as group sizes are no more than five people (there are group-size exemptions for families larger than five).

Manitobans are urged by the province to gather only with people they live with — but people from different households are allowed to gather outdoors in groups of five or less, as long as they maintain two metres distancing and cover their coughs.

Manitoba has no mask requirements for outdoor public places — but Dr. Brent Roussin explains there is still a risk of transmission with prolonged contact in more crowded outdoor settings.

The province says it’s okay if there are other groups in your vicinity, as long as people enjoying the outdoors stay within their groups and maintain physical distancing.

The current public health orders prohibit the use of dressing rooms, warming shacks and other indoor facilities associated with outdoor sporting that would provide an enclosed space and increase the risk of transmission.

Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms is asked to stay at home under current health orders.

Code red restrictions were recently extended through the holidays, set to expire January 8 — although health officials have indicated that timeline could be adjusted depending on how the COVID situation evolves.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Dec 11, 2020 - 1:46 pm

Manitoba has passed the 20,000 case mark, adding 447 new COVID-19 cases and 14 more deaths today.

Manitoba has a total of 20,392 cases with 5,517 considered active and 14,410 recovered.

The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

• 43 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region;
• 136 cases in the Northern health region;
• 35 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 40 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region; and
• 193 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (4, down from 7), Riding Mountain (11), Swan River (2), Porcupine Mountain (29), Duck Mountain (21), Asessippi (3), Little Saskatchewan (4), Whitemud (2), Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon has 116 active cases, up from 98.

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 28 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 38.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.8 percent provincially and 13.2 percent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. 

There are 297 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 40 in intensive care.

Public health officials advise 14 additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today, including:

• a male in his 50s from the Winnipeg health region 
• a male in his 50s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 70s from the Interlake-Eastern health region
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to an outbreak at the Health Science Centre GD4
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Holy Family Personal Care Home
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Holy Family Personal Care Home
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Charleswood Care Centre
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home 
• a male in his 90s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region and linked to the outbreak at Rest Haven Nursing Home
• a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region and
• a female in her 100s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region and linked to the outbreak at Villa Youville Personal Care Home

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Dec 11, 2020 - 1:00 pm