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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
A family of four could be paying 695 dollars more for their groceries in 2021.
According to the 2021 Food Price Report, rising bread, meat, and vegetable prices will push grocery bills 5 per cent higher.
Meat prices could jump as much as 6.5 per cent.
The total grocery bill for a family of four will be 14 thousand dollars for the year, on average.
The overall grocery bill increase would be the highest since the report started 11 years ago.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Dauphin RCMP has come away with the bragging rights after a friendly competition against the Dauphin Fire Department (DFD).
Both parties were collecting food donations between Dec. 3rd to the 6th for the Dauphin and District Community Food Bank (DDCFB).
The RCMP’s ‘Cram the Cruiser’ initiative collected about 1,100 kg of non-perishable food during the four day period — besting the 500 kg collected by the DFD in their 'Pack the Pumper' initiative.
“It was definitely a fun competition, great spirit,” says Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey, adding “it was a great effort by the community as well with all their donations.”
Both the Dauphin RCMP and the fire department went out collecting donations on Saturday, which Cst. Schirmacher says highlighted just how well the community came together for a good cause.
“We got calls all the way out to Gilbert Plains to do pickups, it’s amazing. It’s wonderful to be part of such a great community.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Twelve deaths due to COVID-19 have been announced in Manitoba on Monday -- including a man in his 70s at the Grandview Personal Care Home.
This individual is the first death reported at the Grandview site dealing with a COVID outbreak. The province says 30 positive COVID cases have been identified there, with 21 among residents.
The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.
The chief nursing officer with Shared Health, Lanette Siragusa, says a paramedic has been deployed at the Grandview PCH to assist the staff as needed. The Grandview Hospital has also suspended some services while staff are redeployed to assist with the outbreak at the Grandview PCH.
An outbreak has been declared today at the Swan Valley Health Centre in Swan River.
Public Health Improves Accuracy Of COVID Data
Another 325 cases of COVID-19 were announced in Manitoba on Monday, bringing the province’s total to 19,131.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.7% provincially and 14.6% in Winnipeg.
Dr. Brent Roussin says work has been done to improve the accuracy of the province’s COVID-19 data. “We’ve reviewed older cases and closed a number of them to reflect that those individuals have recovered.”
About 4,000 active cases have been removed from the province’s data today — and there are now 5,462 active cases in Manitoba according to public health (compared to the 9,216 reported yesterday) and 13,262 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.
There are 310 people in hospital with 39 people in intensive care due to COVID-19.
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 407.
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• 38 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region
• 37 cases in the Northern health region
• 20 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• 39 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• 191 cases in the Winnipeg health region
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (7, up from 6), Riding Mountain (14, down from 19), Swan River (2, down from 10), Porcupine Mountain (11, down from 15), Duck Mountain (21, down from 29), Asessippi (3, down from 11), Little Saskatchewan (4, down from 11), Whitemud (5, down from 23), Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon’s number of active cases in the province’s data is now 92, down from 171.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 27 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 36.
Public health officials advise 12 additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today including:
• a female in her 60s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at Health Science Centre unit GA3
• a female in her 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• a male in his 70s from the Prairie Mountain Health region, linked to the outbreak at Grandview Personal Care Home
• a female in her 70s from the Interlake–Eastern health region
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at the Golden Links Lodge
• a female in her 80s from the Northern health region, linked to the outbreak at Acute Care Inpatient Unit of The Pas Health Complex, St. Anthony's General Hospital
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home
• a male in his 90s from the Northern health region
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Up to 249 thousand doses of the Pfizer vaccine is expected by the federal government before the end of the year.
Reports say Pfizer will deliver its first shipment of doses after federal regulators approve the vaccine, which could be in a matter of days.
This would allow vulnerable Canadians and healthcare workers start to be vaccinated by the end of 2020.
The military will be holding a dress rehearsal today as part of the federal government's plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines once they are approved.
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.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
After being closed for the past 3 months, the emergency department at the Roblin and District Health Centre has reopened.
Prairie Mountain Health explained the shutdown of the emergency department back in September was a result of staffing shortages due to retirements, maternity leaves, and staff departures.
Petr Kresta, Chief Operating Officer, Diagnostic Services for Shared Health says the reopening is a result of recruitment to fill vacancies in the Russell and Roblin area.
The emergency department hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
X-rays were among some of the diagnostic services relocated to the Russell Health Centre when the shutdown took effect September 4th.
A Shared Health spokesperson says the full complement of diagnostic services will resume at the Roblin hospital when enough staff are recruited to the area.
Click here for a notice from PMH with more details.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Public health officials reported 383 new cases of COVID-19 and 14 deaths on Sunday.
The Gilbert Plains Personal Care Home is also reporting the death of another resident related to an ongoing COVID outbreak — a man in his 90s.
The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.6% provincially and 14.4% in Winnipeg. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba is 18,806.
The province’s data shows 9,216 active cases and 9,195 individuals have recovered from COVID-19.
There are 348 people in hospital with 43 people in intensive care due to COVID-19.
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 395.
Today’s New Cases
• 22 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region
• 36 cases in the Northern health region
• 17 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• 36 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region
• 272 cases in the Winnipeg health region
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (6), Riding Mountain (19), Swan River (10), Porcupine Mountain (15), Duck Mountain (29), Asessippi (11), Little Saskatchewan (11), Whitemud (23), Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon has 171 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 50 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 78.
Public health officials advise 14 additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today, including:
• a male in his 70s from the Interlake-Eastern health region, linked to an outbreak at Kin Place Personal Care Home
• a male in his 90s from the Prairie Mountain Heath region, linked to an outbreak at the Gilbert Plains Personal Care Home
• a male in his 70s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region
• a female in her 80s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region, linked to an outbreak at Woodhaven Manor
• a male in his 20s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 60s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at the Charleswood Care Centre
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at Health Sciences Centre
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at Park Manor Care Home
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at Park Manor Care Home
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at Holy Family Personal Care Home
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an outbreak at St. Norbert Personal Care Home
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
A woman in her 20s from Winnipeg is among the record number of deaths reported in Manitoba on Saturday, along with 354 new cases.
All 19 of the recently announced deaths are from the Winnipeg health region, except one which occurred at The Pas Hospital in the Northern health region.
The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.
With the Code Red restrictions set to expire on Friday (Dec. 11), Manitoba’s top doctor is expected in the coming week to announce an updated plan regarding public health measures. There has not yet been any indication of whether the updated measures will be more or less restrictive than what are currently in place
The province's data on Saturday shows 9,115 active cases and 8,927 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.
There are 349 people in hospital with 51 people in intensive care due to COVID-19. The number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 381.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.1% provincially and 14.1% in Winnipeg — both about double the national average.
The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 18,423.
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• 32 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region
• 31 cases in the Northern health region
• 12 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• 44 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region
• 235 cases in the Winnipeg health region
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (6), Riding Mountain (19), Swan River (10), Porcupine Mountain (15), Duck Mountain (29), Asessippi (11), Little Saskatchewan (11), Whitemud (22), Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon has 161 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 50 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 78.
Public health officials advise 19 additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today, including:
· a female in her 20s from the Winnipeg health region
· a male in his 50s from the Winnipeg health region
· a female in her 60s from the Northern health region, linked to the outbreak at The Pas Hospital Acute Care
· a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region
· a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region
· a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region
· a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Oakview Place personal care home
· a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region
· a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care
· a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at St. Norbert Personal Care Home
· a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region
· a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at St. Norbert 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
· a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Holy Family Home
· a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at St. Norbert Personal Care Home
· a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care
· a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home
· a female in her 100s from the Winnipeg region, linked to the outbreak at Holy Family Home.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Member of Parliament for Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa is giving an update on what’s happening with a number of issues at the federal level.
Dan Mazier voiced concerns over the Trudeau government’s handling of the vaccine rollout.
“The reality is Canada is behind the US, UK, European Union, Mexico, Brazil, India and Indonesia for vaccine procurement,” Mazier said, adding that the “most frustrating thing about the situation" is the delay in planning around getting the vaccine out, and who should get it first.
Mazier says that while the Trudeau government is talking about getting Canadians vaccinated by September, other countries — like the UK — are looking to roll them out next week.
“Canadians really have endured enough here. Our top of mind is getting this country working again, and getting this country healthy again.”
Freeland’s Fiscal Update
Speaking on this past week’s fall economic statement — Mazier says it appears the Liberals still have no plan for helping Canadians looking for work, who have been hit hard by this pandemic.
Mazier says despite the Liberal's pandemic spending contributing to a historic deficit — the support for Canadians being offered by the Trudeau government still isn't good enough.
“A whole bunch of money in deficit, but not much to show for it other than debt and a bunch of businesses barely staying above water.”
Mazier Talks New Mental Health Support
The Member of Parliament for Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa says he’s working with his conservative team for a national 3-digit suicide prevention line.
It would be similar to a 9-1-1 emergency number, but for suicide prevention.
Mazier says the mental health issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are very serious, citing the Canada Suicide Prevention Hotline has experienced a 200% increase during the pandemic.
With “local health services and emergency hotlines being overwhelmed,” Mazier says the suicide prevention hotline would be a valuable tool.
“In the middle of a pandemic, everything gets tested and we really did notice this would be a really good opportunity for people to get more organized around mental health and address it.”
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
