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The mayor of Grandview is voicing some concerns within the community about disruptions to healthcare services.
On Nov. 26, Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) temporarily suspended hospital and emergency services at the Grandview Health Centre while staff are reassigned to assist with the outbreak situation at the Grandview Personal Care Home.
“I know we have to provide that help to the personal care home. I understand why it was done — I just don’t like the way it was done,” says Grandview Mayor Kevin Edmondson.
Edmondson says he understands it’s a complicated situation for Prairie Mountain Health to manage, but he takes issue with the short notice given ahead of the decision.
He says he was notified of the hospital closure by PMH CEO Penny Gilson at 12:30 p.m on Wednesday — and that the hospital doors were closed by 8 a.m. Thursday morning.
“Not much notice — and that was the same notice that workers in Grandview hospital and the care home found out as well.”
A statement from Prairie Mountain Health CEO Penny Gilson counters that “decisions during a pandemic often need to be made quickly and redeployment from acute care centres is part of the staffing escalation plan for Personal Care Homes.”
Temporary Closure Of Grandview Hospital
The Grandview mayor says there are concerns within his community in light of recent examples of health service disruptions and closures in the area.
“I know people are gloom and doom thinking they’re going to shut the [Grandview] hospital forever. I just can’t wrap my head around any government or health services make that decision on that premise.”
Prairie Mountain Health says a minimum three-week closure of the Grandview hospital is necessary to mitigate potential negative outcomes during the care home outbreak.
Some health services continue to operate at the Grandview Health Centre, including lab and X-ray services and the clinic.
Filling Vacant Healthcare Positions
Edmondson also points out that a considerable amount of leg work to preserve health care services has been taken on by the community.
He says the municipality recruited two International Medical Graduates from Nigeria, who now work full-time in Grandview. He says incentives are also offered to attract nurses to work in the area.
“It’s too bad we have to do that, but that’s what it is. We have to take the bull by the horns because if we wait — it wont happen. Not right away anyway — the government moves slow," says Edmondson.
A statement from the regional health authority says Prairie Mountian Health "always welcomes the collaborative engagement of communities in recruiting and retaining health care staff."
Status of Grandview Care Home Outbreak
Two deaths related to the COVID outbreak have been reported at the Grandview Personal Care Home -- a man in his 70s and a woman in her 80s. The outbreak at the Grandview PCH was first declared on Oct. 30.
As of Dec. 8, the province says a total of 30 cases have been identified there. Nine staff members have tested positive, along with 21 residents.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he won’t be pressured to re-open the Canada-U.S. border until COVID cases are down.
He says he is going to be very cautious when it comes to re-opening in order to keep Canadians safe.
In a virtual meeting with the Assembly of First Nations, Trudeau said that opening the border too soon could be catastrophic.
The border is closed to non-essential travel until Dec. 21st, but the Prime Minister has indicated that the closure will likely be extended.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTECH has been given the green light by Health Canada.
Up to 249,000 doses are expected this month, with another four million doses of the Pfizer vaccine set to arrive in Canada by March.
Manitoba says the first freezer able to store the Pfizer vaccine at low temperatures has been delivered and installed, with another four on the way.
Health Canada is reviewing three other vaccine candidates.
The province recently announced will also be receiving an increased allotment of the Moderna vaccine — which does not require the same ultra-cold temperatures as the Pfizer option.
Officials say the Moderna vaccine will be less complicated to distribute to Manitoba's isolated and remote First Nations communities.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
The provincial government has announced $7.7 million dollars is available for personal care homes (PCH) to address COVID-19 related costs.
Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen made the announcement today.
“We told personal care operators and others to focus their efforts on helping to protect Manitobans – that patient care should be their first priority, and not financial considerations.”
Eligible costs include those related to staffing, enhanced cleaning procedures, and the move to the one-site model, which means that PCH staff will only work at that particular PCH, where in the past staff have worked at different PCHs on different days.
This funding has been provided for the first two quarters of 2020-21 and for the remaining quarter of 2020-21.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for southern Manitoba, including the Parkland.
The statement has been made as a shift in the mild, above seasonal weather is on its way.
A fast-moving low-pressure system, tracking across the northern United States will spread mixed precipitation to southern Manitoba tonight, beginning in the western areas this evening.
This system is bringing a mix of rain, snow, and freezing rain.
Environment Canada says a narrow band of 5 to 10 cm of snowfall accumulation will stretch from roughly Brandon to Winnipeg to the Ontario border although there is some uncertainty in the exact location of this narrow band of precipitation.
They add that there’s also a significant risk for freezing rain, over western Manitoba.
The special weather statement is in effect for:
- 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
The amount of COVID-related fines issued in Manitoba was down last week compared to the week prior.
A total of $122,046 in fines was handed out compared to the $181,574 the week before.
Nine of the tickets were issued to businesses, 53 to individuals, and 15 for not wearing a mask in indoor public places.
Since enforcement efforts began in April, a total of 913 warnings and 450 tickets have been issued, resulting in more than $683,000 in fines to businesses and individuals.
Fine amounts are set at $5,000 for businesses, $1,296 for individuals, and $298 for failing to wear a mask in indoor public places.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Code red public health orders in Manitoba have been slightly adjusted and also extended through the holidays.
Premier Brian Pallister and chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin provided the update in a joint press conference on Tuesday.
“Our modelling has shown the Critical level, or red, restrictions have helped us avoid even higher case numbers right now,” said Roussin, “but our numbers are still too high and now is not the time to let up."
Changes To Public Health Orders
The changes to public health orders include:
• allowing thrift stores to open with some capacity limits, to allow access to second-hand clothing and other items
• ensuring acupuncture and manual osteopathy practices are allowed to open to align with other health services
• clarifying the operation of food banks and food hamper services
• allowing private residences to allow legal services, landlord access and access for home businesses
• encouraging safe outdoor physical activity for individuals and immediate households only by providing guidance to clarify that people not from the same household need to keep two metres of distance between them and that gathering sizes must not exceed five people
• adding school supplies as an essential item under the restrictions to retail services
• allowing drive-in events as a temporary measure subject to compliance with the restrictions, and cars must contain members from one household only and no one may leave the car while at the event
• permitting the Winnipeg Jets to train in Manitoba in preparation for an eventual NHL decision on a 2021 playing season
The updated measures will also allow the in-store purchase of holiday decorations like garlands, ornaments and religious items like menorahs and candles.
The updated measures will go into effect Saturday, Dec. 12 and will expire on Jan. 8, 2021.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The province has announced 245 new cases and 13 more deaths due to COVID-19.
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:
- 34 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
- 23 cases in the Northern health region;
- 29 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
- 33 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
- 126 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
Public health officials are advising of a possible COVID-19 outbreak at the Swan River Kal Tire on November 28th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The outbreak at the Ashern-Lakeshore General Hospital has been declared over.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (6), Riding Mountain (13), Swan River (2), Porcupine Mountain (21, up from 11), Duck Mountain (23), Asessippi (3), Little Saskatchewan (5), Whitemud (4), Agassiz Mountain (2). Brandon has 94 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 27 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 37.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.3 percent provincially and 13.9 percent in Winnipeg.
Manitoba now has 19,376 cases, with 5,379 considered active and 13,577 recovered.
There are 311 people in hospital with 38 in intensive care. The number of deaths is 420.
Public health officials advise 13 additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today including:
- a male in his 40s from the Winnipeg health region;
- a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at the Charleswood Care Centre;
- a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre;
- 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, linked to the outbreak at the Charleswood Care Centre;
- a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region;
- a male in his 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at Greendale Estates;
- a female in her 90s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at Rest Haven Care Home;
- a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at the Holy Family Personal Care Home;
- a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region;
- a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care Home;
- a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Misericordia Health Centre’s Transitional Unit; and
- a female in her 100s from the Prairie Mountain Health region, linked to the outbreak at Fairview Personal Care Home.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The provincial government is expanding the $5,000 Manitoba Bridge Grant Program to protect more small businesses.
The initial intake of the grant included businesses with physical storefronts such as restaurants, bars, recreation and sport facilities, museums, theatres and organizations such as charities, not-for-profits and faith-based organizations.
This second intake will now include small businesses that include but aren’t limited to, event planners, photographers, artists and tradespeople who do not operate a retail location.
Eligible full-time businesses that were impacted by Manitoba COVID-19 public health orders in effect as of Nov. 12, 2020 or any revisions to those orders will receive a grant in the amount equal to 10 per cent of their most recent calendar year revenues, to a maximum contribution of $5,000.
The province allocated 100 million dollars for the first intake and this second intake includes another 100 million dollars.
The deadline to apply is December 31st and applications for the second stream open up tomorrow.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A new appointment-based respiratory clinic is coming to Russell this week.
The clinic will open Thursday, Dec. 10th at the George P. Bulezuik Centre (106 Shell River Ave. S.)
The clinic is for people who have been experiencing respiratory symptoms for two weeks or less, including sore throat, runny nose, cough and congestion, and feel they need to be seen by a physician but don’t need emergency care.
Hours of operation will be Mondays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Referrals are not needed to attend the clinic.
Russell’s site will also be open for appointment-based COVID-19 testing Monday to Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
To book an appointment for the respiratory clinic or COVID testing, you can call (204) 638-2191.
Prairie Mountain Health also has respiratory clinics operating in Dauphin, Swan River, Neepawa, and Brandon.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
An orphaned black bear from Ochre River was rescued after spending 2 days alone in a tree.
Some concerned people saw the cub and notified authorities.
Conservation staff caught and took the cub, which should have been hibernating, to Black Bear Rescue Manitoba.
The tiny 10.5 to 11-month-old cub weighs in at 18 pounds, which is the size of the cubs at the rescue in the spring when they were 3 or 4 months old.
Cubs its age with a mother typically way more than double, at 40-50 lbs.
In a Facebook post, the organization says they believe the cub was orphaned earlier in the summer and it’s amazing he survived so long on his own.
They add that aside from being thin and dehydrated, the cub is doing well.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
