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Part of the criticism directed at the federal government’s new COVID-19 tracing app, is that it’s inaccessible to older Canadians.
The free ‘COVID Alert’ app alerts users when their smartphones have been near the phone of a person who identifies they’ve tested positive for COVID-19.
However, the app requires users to have Apple or Android phones made in the past 5 years, and have a newer operating system — leading some to complain that the app doesn’t work on their phone.
One expert says a contact tracing app would need 65% to 80% of all Canadians using it to properly work, and that the current version of the app makes that impossible.
The app is available to download in all parts of Canada, but is initially being tested in Ontario.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Public Health Officials have announced 7 more cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba.
This comes after 20 were announced on Saturday and Sunday.
Included in the weekend's announcement was 2 cases of the coronavirus at businesses in Steinbach.
A worker at a Smitty's in Steinbach tested positive on Saturday, but hasn't worked at the Smitty's since last week on Monday.
The other case was to a worker at the Steinbach Credit Union.
Today's additional cases brings the total number of confirmed and probable cases to 442.
We'll have to wait for tomorrow's update for a more in-depth look at active case numbers, hospitalizations, and recoveries.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Thousands of Manitoban drivers didn’t get as much money as they deserved from MPI’s rebate cheque from the end of May.
Some customers reported lower than expected rebate cheques and when looked into, MPI came across an internal error in the collection and disposal of data.
To fix the error, $253,000 has been divided up and sent to 9600 policyholders.
The cheques were put in the mail last week.
MPI originally sent the cheques because there were fewer claims during the pandemic and they had stronger year-end financials than expected.
95-96% of MPI customers have cashed in the rebate cheques from earlier in the year.
Those that haven’t received their cheque can call 1-800-665-2410.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Grasshopper populations have become a concern in many parts of Manitoba, after a few years of dry weather conditions that have allowed their populations to grow.
John Gavloski is an entomologist that contributes to the weekly Manitoba Crop Pest Update. He says grasshoppers can cause significant economic damage to crops.
“Levels have been building for the fourth year in a row now. Grasshoppers seem to do better when we get consecutive hot dry summers, and in many parts of in Manitoba, that’s been the case for several years now. So we are seeing the grasshopper levels build.”
There are roughly 85 species of grasshoppers in Manitoba, according to Gavloski, and 4 of those species are considered pests.
He says there are two main species to look out for: the twostriped grasshopper is the most dominant across the province, and is a bit of a generalist in its eating habits, affecting many different types of crops.
Another species Manitoba farmers are looking out for is the clearwinged grasshopper, which is known to feed on grasses.
“If that’s the dominant species in an area, your cereals and forage grasses would be most at risk,” says Gavloski.
While grasshoppers are moving into their adult stages in most parts of the province, Gavloski says hot and humid weather conditions might help take the populations down a little bit.
For the most up to date information on insects and all the other pests affecting crops in Manitoba, make sure to look out for the weekly Manitoba Crop Pest Update from Manitoba Agriculture.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Public Health Officials have announced 18 new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba.
This brings the total of lab-confirmed positive and probable cases to 435.
As this is the long weekend, we will have to wait for Tuesday's update for the number of active cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the province.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is giving an update on their COVID-19 testing sites, heading into the holiday weekend.
The temporary testing site in Russell, at the Russell EMS building parking lot, has been extended. The site will now be open Wednesday, August 5th and Thursday, August 6th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Holiday Weekend Hours
The designated COVID-19 testing sites in Brandon, Dauphin and Swan River will be operating with the following schedule for the August long weekend:
- The Brandon site (Town Centre Parkade) will be open on Saturday, August 1 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and closed on Sunday, August 2nd.
- Dauphin (Community Health Services Building) and Swan River (Primary Care Centre) sites will be closed Saturday, August 1and Sunday, August 2.
- All three designated sites will be open on the holiday Monday, August 3 with regular hours of operation.
To view the regular hours of operation of all regional testing sites, visit the PMH website.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Two new cases of COVID-19 have been reported by public health officials on Saturday.
The total number of confirmed and probable cases in Manitoba is now 417.
The most recent data from the province on Friday showed 70 active cases in Manitoba, with 337 listed as recovered, and 6 people in hospital.
As of July 30, a total of 6,247 have been conducted in the Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region.
PMH officials have also announced the temporary testing site in Russell will have an extended schedule, and will now be open Wednesday, August 5th and Thursday, August 6th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The PMH COVID-19 screening sites in Dauphin, Brandon, and Swan River will be operating with adjusted hours this long weekend — but will be open on Monday for the stat holiday.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The temporary COVID-19 testing site in Russell has extended its days of operation.
The site will now be open Wednesday, August 5th and Thursday, August 6th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PMH had initially reported the Russell testing site would have its final day of operation on Friday, July 31.
The site is located at the Russell EMS building parking lot, near the hospital.
A referral is no longer needed to visit any testing site in Manitoba. If you're experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, you're advised to use the online screening tool to see if a test is required.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Although Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival has postponed its regular festivities this year, the celebration definitely lives on this weekend.
You may have seen the CNUF board members out on the parade float around town Friday afternoon.
On Saturday night, the celebration continues with the CNUF online virtual festival, starting at 7 p.m — a huge grandstand variety show, nearly 3 hours long.
You can tune in to the virtual festival at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival Facebook page, the CNUF website, or their Youtube page.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The civic holiday (Terry Fox Day) is this Monday, August 3rd – so here's a list of what's open and closed.
Liquor Mart in Dauphin
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Monday (Terry Fox Day): 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Grocery Stores
The Dauphin Co-op grocery store will be closed on Monday, August 3.
Safeway will be open from 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. on Monday, August 3.
Ken’s No Frills is open 9 a.m. — 6 p.m.
The Dauphin Marketplace Mall
The Dauphin Marketplace Mall will be open for the civic holiday on Monday, from 9 a.m. — 6 p.m.
The Post Office
Closed on Monday for the civic holiday.
City Hall
Dauphin City Hall will be closed for the stat holiday on Monday.
Dauphin Rec
All Dauphin Rec facilities are closed for the stat holiday.
Garbage & Recycle Pick-Up
The schedule for pick-up of recycling and garbage in the City of Dauphin will not be affected by the holiday on Monday.
The Dauphin Vet Clinic
The Dauphin Vet Clinic will be closed for the holiday on Monday.
COVID Community Testing Sites
The designated COVID-19 testing sites in Brandon, Dauphin and Swan River will be operating with the following schedule for the August long weekend:
- The Brandon site (Town Centre Parkade) will be open on Saturday, August 1 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and closed on Sunday, August 2nd.
- Dauphin (Community Health Services Building) and Swan River (Primary Care Centre) sites will be closed Saturday, August 1and Sunday, August 2.
- All three designated sites will be open on the holiday Monday, August 3 with regular hours of operation.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
RCMP have laid charges in connection to a homicide investigation in Portage la Prairie.
On June 24th, the remains of 27-year-old Gerhard Reimer-Wiebe were found near Baker Street in Portage.
The investigation led to the arrest of 29-year-old Kyle Evan Sinkovits from Winnipeg, and 25-year-old Jonathan Bradley Narvey from Winnipeg. Both men were charged with First Degree Murder, Forcible Confinement, and Indignity to a Dead Human Body.
The investigation is ongoing, and further information is expected in the coming weeks.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
