Parkland Libraries Closing

Starting Monday, all Parkland Regional Libraries will be closed.

Director Allison Moss encourages the use of their online resources such as e-books and e-audiobooks.

Downloading the Libby app provides access to a large selection of electronic books and audiobooks.

The library also provides access to a free streaming service called Kanopy, which contains movies, TV shows, and children's programming.

Moss says their team will continue to develop creative plans to mitigate the disruption and do their best to serve their communities.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Mar 14, 2020 - 11:24 pm

The three previously announced presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 have been lab-confirmed.

There are now four total confirmed positive cases in Manitoba.

Public health investigations are continuing, but it appears that all four cases are travel related.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Mar 14, 2020 - 11:18 am

Manitoba Public Insurance has announced the cancellation of all road tests due to increasing concern about the COVID-19 outbreak.

All previously scheduled road tests will be rescheduled at a later date.

The Corporation is currently in the process of contacting affected customers.

MPI is currently monitoring the COVID-19 situation.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Mar 14, 2020 - 6:02 am

The fourth case of COVID-19 has been announced by public officials.

A Winnipeg man in his 40s has tested positive for the virus.

It appears he has travelled to South Korea, the Philippines, and Japan.

So far, there has been one confirmed case in Manitoba, and three Presumptive positive cases.

Public Health Officials are investigating.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Mar 13, 2020 - 6:04 pm

The City of Dauphin will be operating as usual over the weekend but is monitoring the COVID-19 situation.

The City will be reviewing all departments on Monday to prioritize services and prepare for the following days.

The City is following directives from the Province to ensure the safety of the public and staff.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Mar 13, 2020 - 5:08 pm

Earlier today Manitoba's Minister of Education addressed the school boards and superintendents, providing some information about the closures.

Speaking to CKDM, Mountain View School Division Superintendant Dan Ward says the K-12 school closures across Manitoba are a proactive measure.

He says closing schools for that 3 week period (one week before spring break and one week after spring break) is designed to help us get ahead of the curve and slow down the rate of COVID-19 spreading in Manitoba.

The chief medical officer of health says schools are safe, and that students should still attend next week unless they are feeling ill.

The MVSD Superintendant says parents will be provided with more information.

“We provided some additional information to staff that we’ll be providing to families this afternoon, just in terms of some of the measures the school division is taking, effective Monday in terms of cancellations and changes to some of the ways we do business. That information will be shared with parents in a post tonight, and a letter will go out next week.”

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Mar 13, 2020 - 4:49 pm

All Manitoba schools will be closed for 3 weeks effective Monday, March 23rd.

The announcement was made by Premier Brian Pallister, alongside Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen, Health Minister Cameron Friesen and chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin.

Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen says the decision to close schools is out of an abundance of caution to lessen the negative impact of COVID-19 on Manitoba as a whole.

Superintendent Dan Ward with the Mountain View School Division is meeting with the minister of education.

He will be contacting CKDM with his comments, shortly.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Mar 13, 2020 - 2:34 pm

The Frontier School Division has suspended all travel-based activities for students and staff until further notice.

The Division’s Chief Superintendent, Reg Klassen, made the announcement today.

The closure will affect co-curricular activities, school/field trips and professional development.

Although the risk to Manitobans remains low, the Frontier School Division wants to act with an abundance of caution and is encouraging students to follow preventative measures.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Mar 13, 2020 - 12:56 pm

With schools across the province and country shutting down due to the coronavirus, we spoke to the Assiniboine Community College Parkland Campus and Mountain View School Division to find out what their plans are.

Gabe Mercier, director of the Parkland Campus, says they have a plan for their students.

“At ACC Parkland Campus we are following the guidance from the head office in Brandon. If there is an issue we will not close, but will find alternative ways to deliver our programs, where there may not be face to face or group contact. ” He adds, “If there is a reason to close the doors of the building, programs will be delivered online in through Moodle for an example.”

Public health and other local authorities are guiding the Assiniboine Community College, including fulfilling responsibilities to institute community containment measures and infection control measures.

Social distancing strategies will begin being put in place, such as, avoiding greetings that involve touching such as handshakes, disinfecting frequently used surfaces, following public health advice related to self-monitoring and self-isolation if you have travelled or have been exposed to someone ill with the virus, and considering avoiding travel, crowded places and events, especially if you are at higher risk.

The MVSD is attending a Manitoba School Board Association conference. There is a meeting with superintendents as to the next steps and what will be occurring.

Stay tuned for the latest updates.