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Beginning Thursday, COVID-19 testing sites in Manitoba will start accepting self-referrals.
That means Manitobans will no longer need a referral from Health Links — or their health-care provider — in order to get tested.
Chief nursing officer for Shared Health Lanette Siragusa says the idea is to make it easier for people with even mild symptoms to get tested.
People with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, fatigue, headaches, nausea or loss of appetite are asked to use the online screening tool.
If you meet the criteria in the online screening tool, you can proceed directly to a testing site.
In the Prairie Mountain Health region there at testing sites in Dauphin, Brandon, and Swan River.
For more information on testing locations and hours of operation, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Some researchers at Brandon University are gearing up to take a closer look at rural mental health during the COVID situation.
The research team is looking for older adults — aged 65 or older who live in rural communities — to participate in a one-hour telephone interview conducted by Dr. Rachel Herron from the University.
Dr. Herron says the research also aims to better understand the mental health of frontline healthcare workers in rural communities.
“We’re looking forward to recruiting older adults living in rural communities to participate in a telephone interview. We have also developed a separate survey for frontline healthcare workers who are currently working in rural communities.”
Dr. Herron says the COVID situation presents new challenges to mental health care in rural communities.
“Now in the context of COVID-19, there may be particular stressors in relation to mental health for everyone; but certainly for rural communities who generally have access to fewer mental health services.”
The research aims to examine issues here in Manitoba, and search for solutions in supporting good mental health during this time.
Anyone interested in participating can find more information on the Centre for Rural Mental Health website, by phone 431-301-3032, or email Dr. Rachel Herron This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba is still working out the details of the wage top up for the province’s front-line workers.
Premier Brian Pallister says there's more planning needed to figure out how much workers will receive, and exactly who will qualify.
Pallister says workers may be getting a one-time payment of about $1,000 through an online application.
The wage top up is a federal cost-share program announced last week, meant for low-wage workers who’ve continued to work throughout the COVID-19 situation.
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Continuing with a trend of low case numbers in Manitoba, there were no new cases identified by public health officials today.
The province remains at 290 total confirmed and probable cases, with 7 deaths reported.
There are 32 active cases; four people in hospital because of the virus, and one person is in intensive care.
There were 527 laboratory tests conducted yesterday throughout the province.
For more information, visit the Manitoba government's official COVID-19 website.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The City of Dauphin’s spring clean-up has been postponed for one week.
On Monday, May 25th, city crews will start in the Day 1 area on the waste schedule, and progress through the four-day schedule.
Yard waste bins will still be collected at the curb every two weeks. If you’d like one, call the city shop at (204) 622-3202.
The city would also like to remind residents that compost material can be dropped off anytime at the Dauphin Waste Disposal Site.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A Dauphin lawyer has been appointed as Queen’s counsel.
Doug Deans is one of ten lawyers to receive the distinction, announced yesterday by the Justice Minister.
The Queen’s counsel is an honorary title given by the lieutenant-governor in council to lawyers who show integrity, leadership, and contribute to excellence in the profession.
Doug says he’s happy to receive the distinction.
“I think everybody in their own professional is flattered when they are acknowledged by that profession, or in this case, by the government. I was tickled by the announcement”
Practicing law in Dauphin for 46 years, Doug tells CKDM it means a lot to have served this community.
“It’s actually been very rewarding; I was born in Dauphin. My father actually ran the jail. That’s kind of why I ended up doing what I do, because of my upbringing.”
Going forward, a ceremonial presentation might be happening in the fall, depending on provincial COVID guidelines.
The full list of those receiving the Queen’s counsel (QC) designation include:
• Robert J. M. Adkins, QC;
• J. Douglas Deans, QC;
• Michael D. Werier, QC;
• Gail G. MacAulay, QC;
• James A. Ripley, QC;
• T. David Gisser, QC;
• James E. McLandress, QC;
• Sharon Kravetsky, QC;
• Roberta Campbell, QC; and
• Harold (Sonny) Cochrane, QC.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The annual State Of The City address was presented Tuesday afternoon on the Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.
Executive Director Stephen Chychota highlighted some plans to help local businesses, alongside Manitoba Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chuck Davidson.
Dauphin Mayor Allen Dowhan focused on two main challenges facing the city — the closure of the Dauphin Correctional Centre (DCC), and the economic impact of COVID-19.
"It’s a big challenge and I know the citizens of Dauphin are up to it.”
The Dauphin Mayor says the city wants to give back to the community.
“That’s why we worked towards a zero tax increase with no cuts in services, and maintained our commitment to infrastructure.”
Mayor Dowhan also imparted some words of encouragement to people in the City of Sunshine:
“We have to move forward. You hear the term ‘new normal’ all the time. Things aren’t going to be the way they were; we have to adjust to the new normal in our community and welcome change. That change is going to come quicker than it has before. We have to provide our hometown spirit to rebuild our community, with the hope of maintaining our population and possibly growing it. It’s a big challenge and I know the citizens of Dauphin are up to it.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitobans will get a bit of a break on vehicle registration fees, which are set to go down by 10% beginning July 1.
Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton made the announcement Tuesday, saying the government is working hard to find ways to provide relief for Manitobans.
Most people will see a $15 decrease from the existing registration fee; the cost will be $139.
The annual registration fee applies to non-commercial vehicles, such as passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, farm vehicles, motorcycles/mopeds and personal-use trailers and trucks.
The existing fee for registering government and municipal vehicles will be unchanged.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Police are keeping a closer watch on an intersection at the centre of multiple fatal collisions over the past few years.
On August 16th, 2019, two children aged 4 and 6 were killed in a collision at the intersection of Road 147 N and Highway 362, approximately 1.5 km north of Dauphin.
On June 23rd, 2018, a man and a woman were killed in a two-car collision at the same location.
Dauphin RCMP has investigated several dangerous driving offences at this location in the past week, and will now be out conducting extra enforcement.
Police are reminding residents to drive sober, wear a seatbelt, slow down, pay attention to the road at all times, come to a complete stop at stop signs, and do not proceed into an intersection until it is safe to do so.
To report dangerous driving in the Dauphin area, call 204-622-5020.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
An additional case of the novel coronavirus has been identified today in Manitoba.
The case is related to the workplace cluster at a trucking company in Brandon. There are now 11 cases associated with the cluster.
The total number of confirmed and probable cases in the province is 290; there are 32 active cases, and 7 people have died.
There are four individuals in hospital, with one person in intensive care.
In the Prairie Mountain Health region, there are 26 cases confirmed, and 1 probable.
For a detailed look at the provinces reopening plan, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Calls relating to wildfires, field fires, and brush fires are down for the Dauphin Fire Department compared to previous years.
Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey says this is a good thing because a lot of responsible RM of Dauphin residents are getting burn permits to deal with crop residue or to clean their yards.
“So if you see smoke, doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a fire out of control, so you don’t have to call 911 right away. If you do see fire, you do see the flames or the smoke, take a look around, make sure that there’s somebody present before you dial 911 immediately. The purpose of the burn permits is to reduce the amount of calls that we have from people driving down the highway and they see the flames or the smoke.”
Burn permits are available through the RM of Dauphin, call them at 204 638-4531 for more information.
Abrey says permits are available free of charge.
“It stipulates within the burn permit, that the fire must be kept under control at all times, that you as the property owner or resident are responsible for all property damage that may result, you are required to fireguard the area as per the provincial wildfires act, you can’t just set a fire and leave it unattended, and then you also have to be careful of the wind conditions and weather conditions and if they are extreme, then we discourage lighting those fires.”
Every time someone gets a permit, the DFD is notified and they mark it on their map. Since permits are good for one week, the fire department is constantly updating the map.
Penalties for breaking the RM of Dauphin’s burning by-law vary. If the person has a burn permit, has done their fireguard, and they’re present, but the fire gets out of control accidentally, there’s no penalty. Abrey says if there’s any kind of negligence involved, the RM will charge a fee.
“So, if you had a permit, you lit it, and you walked away, there’s a penalty involved with that. If it’s no permit issued and then the fire department has to respond, there’s a fee that’s charged for that. It’s basically dependant on the duration of the call because in addition to the fee or the violation that’s issued, then it’s also the cost of the fire that’s tacked onto it.”
The RM of Dauphin determines how much the fee is, there isn’t a set amount.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
