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WestJet is cracking down on their mask-wearing policies next week, removing any passengers who refuse to wear a face covering.
Starting September 1st, all passengers over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask, unless the person has a doctor’s note explaining why they can’t wear one.
Anyone who doesn’t follow the new restrictions could be put on the company’s no-fly list for up to a year, suspending them from flights.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The province reports that mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus have been found in Manitoba.
Two infected mosquito pools have been identified in Brandon and Winnipeg, according to a release from the province on Friday.
There have been no reports on the virus being transmitted to humans this year. Last year there were no West Nile infected mosquitoes found in Manitoba.
There are permanent mosquito traps set up in 21 community areas in southern Manitoba to monitor the Culex tarsalis mosquitoes — which are the most likely mosquito species to transmit West Nile to humans.
The Manitoba Government has released some tips on how to best protect yourself from the West Nile virus:
- Apply an appropriate insect repellent when outdoors and follow the instructions on the label.
- Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and pant legs while outdoors.
- Reduce time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn.
- Make sure your doors and window screens fit tightly and are free of holes.
- Reduce the mosquito habitat around your home by regularly cleaning and emptying water-holding containers such as birdbaths, wading pools, children's toys, eavestroughs, tarp covers and plant trays.
For an up-to-date look at the provincial data on West Nile virus in Manitoba, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Thirty-two new cases of COVID-19 have been added in Manitoba today, taking the province’s total to 1096.
Of today’s cases, 18 are in the Prairie Mountain Health region. None are in the Dauphin health district.
Manitoba now has 418 active cases and 664 people have recovered.
The number of deaths in the province remains unchanged at 14.
Manitobans are being encouraged to return to the fundamentals to stop the spread of the virus – washing your hands, wearing a mask, physical distancing, and staying home if you are sick.
For more on COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The provincial government is blaming human error for a privacy breach that shared personal information about Children’s Disability Services (CDS) clients with service agencies and community advocates that work with individuals with disabilities.
On Wednesday, CDS staff accidentally sent an email that was meant for the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth (MACY), to about 100 agencies and advocacy groups.
The email included a spreadsheet with personal info, including the diagnosis and address, of about approximately 9,000 children, as well as info about a situation being reviewed by MACY.
While the email included personal information about these children the province says it didn’t include personal health identification numbers, social insurance numbers or any financial information.
The spreadsheet was password-protected, but the password was also provided.
The province called the agencies and groups that received the email to confirm it was deleted.
The province is asking the affected families to advise them of the breach and apologizes for the error, and says they’ll be following up by email or mail.
The department is following up with staff to review and improve processes to avoid this happening again.
MACY has been informed of this issue.
This matter has also been referred to the Manitoba Ombudsman, as is standard practice.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
2020 is shaping up to be the worst year for catastrophic injuries in the last decade.
So far this year, injury claims have doubled, according to MPI. Since the start of the year up until the end of July, a total of 18 serious injury (quadriplegic, paraplegic, and/or brain injury) claims were opened with MPI.
In July alone, 9 serious injury claims were opened.
It’s reported that the majority of serious and catastrophic injuries take place on rural roadways, where speed limits are typically higher, increasing the severity of the crash.
Last year set the record for the worst year in the decade with a total of 23 claims opened.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The severe thunderstorm warnings and watches that were in effect in the Parkland ended overnight.
Last night in Dauphin the storm brought thunder, lightning, and rain.
At 4:20 this morning, the severe thunderstorm watches ended.
The severe thunderstorm watch ended in these communities:
- Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
- Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
- Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
- Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
- Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
- Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
- R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
- R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Some parents and teachers in the Prairie Mountain Health region have expressed their concerns about the province’s back to school plan — with the region now elevated to the “orange” level.
A series of protests were held in Brandon on Thursday by a group called “Safe September Brandon“ — hoping to see more health measures implemented in schools, before their reopening.
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin addressed some of those concerns.
Roussin says health officials raised the alert level to orange, because of a number of indicators, resulting in restrictions limiting the number of people at indoor and outdoor gatherings to 10 people. Also, masks are now required at indoor public places and outdoor gatherings of four or more people.
Roussin explained why the restrictions are not being applied to schools, saying "just like restaurants, retail and other sectors, we did not apply this to schools at this time. Schools in the Prairie Mountain Health region are not changing their level of restriction," but added, "our schools province-wide are prepared to do so, because we know things change quite quickly.”
A chart released by the province shows a number of restrictions that could be implemented during the “orange” response level. However, at this point, no other sector in PMH is affected by the orange level restrictions, other than the new rules for group sizes and masks wearing.
For more information on the province's back to school plan, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
A wind warning is being issued on Friday for Lake Manitoba and Victoria Beach.
The advisory will be in effect for the south basin of Lake Manitoba and shorelines near Gimli, as well as the east side of Lake Winnipeg.
The forecast is calling for winds up to 70km/h, which could raise wave levels by up to 5 feet or more.
Property owners are advised to take precautions.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba is investing over $22 million to improve and create child care spaces, and give families for child care options.
The province is funding $8.5 million towards creating child care services for children, meeting the needs of under-served families, and supporting the long-term sustainability of child care providers.
Families Minister Heather Stefanson says “we are investing millions of dollars to ensure that parents have access to child care when they need it the most – so they know their children are safely cared for as they return to work and adjust to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In addition, the province is committing $4.7 million in new funding to expand the tax credits for employer-based child care centres.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Public Health officials have announced 22 new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba today.
Also, one previously announced case from August 15th has been removed, which leaves the province with a total of 1,064 cases.
Officials are reporting another death linked to the virus, a woman in her 90’s from the Southern-Health region. This case is linked to the outbreak at the Bethesda Place care home in Steinbach. The number of deaths in the province related to COVID-19 is now 14.
Nine new cases of the virus are from the Prairie Mountain Health region, and Dr. Roussin says many of the region’s new cases are linked to testing campaigns at Hutterite colonies.
None of Thursday’s newly announced cases are in the Dauphin health district, where there continues to be a total of 7 cases.
There are now 6 people in hospital, with one in intensive care.
At this time, 407 of the province's cases are considered active, and 643 people have recovered from the virus.
A new public health order is going into effect on Friday, August 28. The order will require Manitobans to self-isolate for 14 days if:
• they have tested positive for COVID-19; or
• they have been exposed to COVID-19 by a close contact
Chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin says all Manitobans that this order applies to would be contacted directly by public health to let them know, at which point they are expected to immediately self-isolate at their home or an approved location. Individuals will be subject to fines for non-compliance, up to $486 dollars — which could be assessed daily.
Dr. Roussin says the new order gives the province an easier way to penalize individuals break the health order, by issuing the fine.
As the province in increasing their messaging about the importance of mask-wearing, Roussin provided some tips on maximizing your mask’s effectiveness:
- Wash your hands with hand sanitizer immediately before putting on a mask
- Practice good hand hygiene while wearing a mask
- Ensure your mask fits well, and don’t share it with others
- Avoid touching your mask or face
For more information about COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
An employee at a personal care home in Brandon has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee at the Rideau Park Personal Care home was a previously identified case in the region, according to a statement from Prairie Mountain Health’s CEO, Penny Gilson.
Gilson adds that the worker wore protective equipment and is self-isolating. Close contacts of the employee have been notified.
The site is moving to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. This means the site is putting additional measures in place to further reduce the risk to residents and staff, and is restricting visitation at the facility.
At this time no other cases are believed to be linked to this case, and risk of transmission is considered low.
This is the second case at a personal care home in Manitoba in the past month, occurring only days after an outbreak at Bethesda Place in Steinbach.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
