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The Southern Health region will be moved to Critical (red) starting Monday, November 9.

The announcement came on Friday as Manitoba’s chief public health officer stressed that case numbers in the region — which includes Portage la Prairie — continue to move in the wrong direction, and that further action is required.

Changes in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region mirror those in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region including:

• Bars and restaurants will be closed except for take-out and delivery.
• Most retail will be reduced to 25 per cent capacity.
• Sports and recreation programming will be suspended.
• Gyms and fitness centres will have reduced capacity to 25 per cent and masks will be mandatory, even when exercising.
• Movie theatres and concert halls will close.
• Personal services have no change and stay at 50 per cent capacity.
• Faith-based gatherings are reduced to 15 per cent or 100 people, whichever is lower.
• Non-urgent and elective surgeries and diagnostics will continue at this time. Patients will be contacted directly if their scheduled surgeries or diagnostics tests are affected.
• In-patient visitation to hospitals or health centres will be suspended, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis for patients receiving end-of-life care, in labour and delivery, as well as in pediatrics.
• Designated family caregivers may continue to visit personal care homes. General visitation may be suspended with exceptions in place for end-of-life care. General visitation to outdoor visitation shelters will be implemented, once operational.

52 new cases of COVID-19 were added in the Southern Health region on Friday.

The City of Portage la Prairie has 20 active cases — recording one death and 61 total cases.

Details

Contributed by 730 CKDM

Published: Nov 6, 2020 - 6:04 pm

The Dauphin Hospital Foundation (DHF) hosted its annual general meeting (AGM) virtually on Monday, October 26.

At the end of the AGM, the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Dauphin Hospital Foundation, Doug Deans, officially stepped down.

Doug Deans says there have been many key accomplishments over the past 15 years, and adds “the Foundation is in good hands as it works towards its mission of supporting and enhancing services and programs for Dauphin Regional Health Centre, Dauphin Personal Care Home and Dauphin Community Health Services Building.” 

The Board presented Deans with a commemorative clock to acknowledge his many years of dedicated service to the Foundation. 

The Board’s new Chair is Greg Thompson, while Malcom Strang serves as Vice-Chair. 

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Nov 6, 2020 - 3:51 pm

Swan River’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing site has ceased operation, and a new indoor testing site will open next week.

The drive-thru site halted operation as of 1:00 p.m. Friday. The new indoor site will open on Monday, November 9^th at 621 Main Street in Swan River.

The hours of operation will be Monday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 To make an appointment for a COVID test at both the Swan River and Dauphin designated testing sites call 1-855-268-4318 or click here.

 To view directions and regular hours of operation at all PMH designated testing sites, visit the PMH website here.

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Nov 6, 2020 - 3:09 pm

There is now one active case listed in the Dauphin health district, following Friday’s update from public health in which several new cases were added in the Parkland area.

Graphic courtesy of the Government of Manitoba

Public health officials are also elevating the Southern Health region to the red ‘critical’ level on the Pandemic response system. New restrictions for the Southern Health region will take effect on Monday — closely mirroring the restrictions currently in effect for the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region.

A total of 243 new cases of the virus were recorded province-wide on Friday, along with five more deaths, including:

• a female in her 40s from the Northern health region;
• a female in her 60s from the Interlake–Eastern region;
• a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Maples Manor; 
• a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Victoria General Hospital; and
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at Victoria General Hospital.

The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba is now 7,419. There are 4,286 active cases of COVID-19, and 3,037 people have recovered. 

There are 161 people in hospital with 20 people in intensive care.

The number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 96.

Today’s data shows:

• 17 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• 23 cases in the Northern health region;
• 15 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 52 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 136 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

New Cases Added In The Parkland

The following Parkland health districts currently have active cases listed on the province’s online database: Dauphin (1), Swan River (9), Porcupine Mountain (4), Asessippi (6), Duck Mountain (1), Little Saskatchewan (1), Whitemud (8), and Agassiz Mountain (1). There are 25 active cases in Brandon.

The Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 54 active cases of COVID-19.

New Exposures In Prairie Mountain Health

Some more potential exposures have been identified in Prairie Mountain Health.

Prairie Mountain Health advises a new appointment-based indoor COVID-19 testing site will open in Swan River on Monday, Nov. 9 and resume regular hours from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 621 Main St. (former CMHA Building). The designated drive-up testing site at the Swan Valley Primary Care Centre parking lot in Swan River will close at 1 p.m. today.  

For more information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Nov 6, 2020 - 2:15 pm

The Bowsman man accused of ramming the gate of Rideau Hall and threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made another virtual appearance in court today.

Crown prosecutors told the court they're looking to set a date for a plea and sentencing.

His case will appear in court again on December 4^th.

46-year-old Corey Hurren is facing 22 criminal charges after allegedly driving his truck through the gates of Trudeau’s home and uttering threats back on July 2^nd.

Neither Trudeau nor Governor General Julie Payette were on the grounds during the incident.

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Nov 6, 2020 - 1:10 pm

A house fire earlier last month is now being investigated as arson by Neepawa RCMP.

On October 10, Neepawa RCMP responded to a house fully engulfed in flames on 2nd Ave in the town of Riding Mountain. The house was empty and there were no injuries.

An investigation has led police to suspect arson.

RCMP say that two suspects were seen in the yard of where the fire occurred between 10:36 pm and 11:28 pm that night. The suspects are seen moving around the yard and close to the house, and appear to be trying to hide. 

During this time several flashes of flames are seen, coming from the west side of the home. 

At 11:28 pm, the two suspects are seen leaving the area, walking east on 2nd Avenue.

The RCMP is asking the public for their assistance in this matter. If you have any information on these suspects, or this incident, please call Neepawa RCMP at 204-476-7340, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Nov 6, 2020 - 10:05 am

8:28 a.m. Update:

Joe Biden has now passed Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, leading the count by about 5,600 votes. 

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We’ve now reached day 3 of waiting for the results of the 2020 US presidential election.

According to the Associated Press, Joe Biden is still sitting at 264 Electoral College votes while Donald Trump is at 214.

270 Electoral College votes are needed to win the White House.

Vote counts in the 4 battleground states have progressed from yesterday with Biden still leading in Nevada, but now also leading in Georgia with just 918 more votes than Trump.

Trump still leads in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, although his lead there is narrowing.

The Canadian Press says the U-S Secret Service is reportedly sending reinforcements to Wilmington, Delaware, where Biden is based. That kind of move traditionally happens when it appears a victory declaration is approaching.

Details

Contributed by Isaac Wihak

Published: Nov 6, 2020 - 7:48 am

UPDATE | At 9:10 a.m. the freezing rain warning ended.

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Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for the Parkland.

They say a fast-moving band of freezing rain has developed over portions of southeastern Saskatchewan and the Manitoba parklands this morning. The potential for freezing rain will continue until temperatures rise above zero towards noon.

Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.

Environment Canada says to take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas and be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.

The warning 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

Details

Contributed by Isaac Wihak

Published: Nov 6, 2020 - 5:44 am

Peguis First Nation has been moved to the ‘critical’ red level in response to concerning COVID-19 case numbers in Manitoba’s largest First Nation.

The announcement was made Thursday by public health officials, in partnership with the chief and council from Peguis First Nation.

According to an update from Peguis Public Health on Thursday, Peguis has recorded 140 total confirmed cases, with 63 cases considered active.

Peguis is currently on day 5 of a strict 14-day lockdown, with an enforced 24-hour curfew, permitting community residents to travel only to seek testing, medical care, or essential supplies.

The COVID-19 Community Lockdown for Peguis First Nation began Sunday, November 1 at 12:00 a.m. | Photo courtesy of Peguis First Nation

Peguis First Nation is also setting up its own COVID-19 testing site, training some community members to assist in the testing process.

The Interlake’s Fisher/Peguis health district has tallied 187 cases of COVID-19 — 168 of those cases are considered active.

Details

Contributed by 730 CKDM

Published: Nov 5, 2020 - 6:35 pm

Manitoba’s police watchdog is investigating allegations of assault by an off-duty Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) officer in Portage la Prairie.

On Wednesday, November 4, RCMP responded to a call regarding an assault on Oxford Street in Portage.

Officers located an off-duty MFNPS officer, who was later placed under arrest and taken to the detachment for further investigation.

RCMP reported the incident to the Independent Investigations Unit (IIU), which will be conducting an investigation.

Witnesses or other individuals who have information or video footage that may assist this investigation are asked to contact the IIU toll-free at 1-844-667-6060.

Details

Contributed by 730 CKDM

Published: Nov 5, 2020 - 6:14 pm