Gilbert Plains PCH Outbreak Declared Over

Health officials are reporting 261 new cases of COVID-19 today and two deaths.

A man in his 60s from Winnipeg has died after contracting the virus, along with another man in his 90s at the McCreary/Alonsa Health Centre — now the fourth death due to COVID reported at this facility.

The province has not yet provided any additional information about the outbreak at St. Paul’s PCH in Dauphin declared earlier this week.

Gilbert Plains PCH Outbreak Declared Over

Public Health is now declaring the outbreak over at the Gilbert Plains Personal Care Home.

The outbreak, which was first declared November 13, resulted in 42 total confirmed cases. A total of 24 care home residents tested positive, and nine died after contracting the virus that causes COVID-19.

Today’s COVID Numbers in Manitoba

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 10% provincially and 7.1% in Winnipeg. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba is 26,954.

There are 2,866 active cases and 23,313 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.

There are 117 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 173 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care (290 hospitalizations total).

There are 16 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 21 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care (37 ICU patients total).

The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 755.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

11 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region
139 cases in the Northern health region
23 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
13 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region
75 cases in the Winnipeg health region

According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (7), Riding Mountain (3), Swan River (0), Porcupine Mountain (60), Duck Mountain (5), Asessippi (6), Little Saskatchewan (3), Whitemud (4), and Agassiz Mountain (43). Brandon has 73 active cases.

1.14 Dauphin
There are 7 active cases in the Dauphin health district | courtesy of the Manitoba Government

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 59 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis has 41.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Jan 14, 2021 - 12:58 pm

After a wave of freezing rain hit most of the Parkland Wednesday night, more winter weather and poor driving conditions are expected throughout the region today.

Blizzard conditions hit the National Park area this morning but gradually improved throughout the morning and the snow is expected to continue to diminish in intensity. Strong northwesterly winds will persist, blowing snow in the region throughout the day with the blowing snow not ending until this evening.

The Mountain View School Division has cancelled all bus routes today. Due to highway closures in the Roblin and Grandview areas, Goose Lake High, Roblin Elementary School and Grandview School are closed today and classes are cancelled, including remote learning.

The Swan Valley School Division has cancelled all classes today. The Parkwest School Division is closed. The Turtle River School Division has cancelled buses, but schools are open. Frontier School Division has cancelled buses for area 2, but schools are open. École Jours de Plaine is closed.

Hazardous Driving Conditions

Many road closures announced on Thursday morning have now been reopened.

Many roads in the region are dealing with snow coverage and reduced visibility due to the winds blowing snow

To check road conditions anytime, click here.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jan 14, 2021 - 5:04 am

A man is facing multiple charges after an armed stand-off on Sandy Bay First Nation.

On January 9th, Manitoba First Nations Police officers were called to a home on Sandy Bay First Nation.

Police were told a male suspect had locked all the doors to the house and refused to let the female occupant leave.

When officers arrived, a woman had left the home and told police that the man had assaulted her, and that she believed he had a gun.

MFNPS officers surrounded the home after the man was seen holding a gun, and refused to exit the home. Police were able to access the home and arrested the man.

A search of the home located a sawed-off .22 caliber rifle, ammunition, and a handgun-style BB gun.

The 25-year-old man from Sandy Bay First Nation has been charged and is facing the following offences:

Assault
Forcible confinement
Unauthorized possession of a firearm
Unsafe storage of a firearm
Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public
Possession of a firearm when prohibited
Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition without a licence
Possession of a weapon obtained by crime
Weapons possession contrary to order x3
Use of a firearm in offence
Pointing a firearm
Uttering threats against a person

Details: Contributed by 730 CKDM; Published: Jan 13, 2021 - 7:03 pm

The death toll from the outbreak at the McCreary/Alonsa Health Centre is now at three.

A man in his 80s is the third death announced this week after an outbreak was declared at the facility on January 7th.

There have been 42 total cases associated with this outbreak, which includes 14 staff and 28 “non-staff” according to the province.

Improvements Noted In The Test Positivity Rate

Health officials announced 158 new cases and 5 deaths on Wednesday.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 9.6% provincially and 7.4% in Winnipeg. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 26,695.

The provincial data also shows 2,928 active cases and 23,014 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.

There are 119 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 170 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care (289 hospitalizations total).

There are 19 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 17 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care (36 ICU patients total).

The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 753.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
•   seven cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region
•   70 cases in the Northern health region
•   12 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
•   eight cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region
•   61 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 (3), Swan River (0), Porcupine Mountain (62), Duck Mountain (4), Asessippi (7), Little Saskatchewan (2), Whitemud (4), and Agassiz Mountain (43). Brandon has 68 active cases.

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 59 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis has 41.

Public health officials advise five additional deaths in people with COVID-19 have been reported today including:
• a male in his 50s from the Northern health region
• a male in his 80s from Prairie Mountain Health region and linked to the outbreak at the McCreary/Alonsa Health Centre
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Southeast Personal Care Home
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Charleswood Care Centre

Details: Contributed by 730 CKDM; Published: Jan 13, 2021 - 12:50 pm

An initiative by the provincial government is offering the Best Western Plus in Dauphin a $4.1 million tax rebate.

MLA for Dauphin Brad Michaleski says the PC government’s Manitoba Works Capital Incentive (MWCI) helps grow the provincial economy and also create opportunities in the Parkland.

“This incentive worked for Best Western and it worked for Dauphin. Hopefully, it’s the start of more positive investments to come,” said Michaleski.

The $4.1 million incentive rebates the incremental education property taxes generated by a project for up to 20 years.

“We most certainly appreciate the investment by Best Western Dauphin for making this very important and worthy investment here in the Parkland.”

A similar announcement was made in June of 2020 regarding Dauphin’s Vermillion Growers.

Details: Contributed by 730 CKDM; Published: Jan 13, 2021 - 10:58 am

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for parts of southwest Manitoba.

Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 90 km/h overnight. Damage to buildings, roof shingles, and windows may occur.

Strong winds are expected to diminish by Thursday morning.

The warning is in effect for the following areas:

Hamiota Mun. incl. McConnell and Lavinia
Mun. of Clanwilliam-Erickson
Mun. of Harrison Park incl. Onanole Sandy Lake and Newdale
Prairie View Mun. incl. Bird Tail Creek Res.
R.M. of Minto-Odanah incl. Minnedosa and Moore Park
R.M. of Oakview incl. Oak River and Rapid City
R.M. of Rosedale incl. Eden and Kelwood
R.M. of Yellowhead incl. Shoal Lake and Elphinstone
R.M.of Ellice-Archie incl. St-Lazare McAuley and Manson
Riding Mountain Nat. Park
Rossburn Mun. incl. Waywayseecappo Res.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Jan 13, 2021 - 10:51 am

The hours of operation for Roblin’s emergency department are being increased by Prairie Mountain Health.

There will be 24-hour emergency department services on weekends at the Roblin District Health Centre, starting Saturday, Jan. 16.

The emergency department will now be open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 24-hour service on weekends.

Roblin’s emergency department was temporarily closed by Prairie Mountain Health for about three months in late 2020 due to staffing shortages.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Jan 13, 2021 - 10:24 am

Just before 10:30 a.m. yesterday, the Dauphin Fire Department responded to an apartment complex.

Fire alarms were sounding in the complex, located on 6^th Ave. SE in Dauphin.

After the investigation, the DFD says it was a false alarm caused by cigarette smoke in the hallway.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jan 13, 2021 - 6:40 am

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) says Dauphin’s Dialysis Unit is nearing maximum capacity after the hiring of two additional staff members.

34 of 36 dialysis treatment spaces are in operation at the Dauphin Hospital and PMH anticipates the Unit to be at maximum capacity within the next month.

The two staff members finished their remote specialized learning courses towards the end of 2020 and now work in the Unit.

PMH adds that the Dialysis Unit will be getting another training spot and it’ll open in the spring. This training session takes 9 weeks.

Before going to Dauphin for treatment, all patients start hemodialysis at Winnipeg or Brandon through the Manitoba Renal Program (MRP).

After that, MRP assesses patients to receive treatment at a local renal health centre or rural dialysis unit in or near their community.

If there’s no available space, patients are put on a waiting list for the unit and are notified and assessed when a space becomes available in the requested unit.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jan 13, 2021 - 5:28 am

A local disability advocate says he was forced to leave a Walmart for not wearing a mask, despite his mask-wearing exemption under public health guidelines.

Alex Lytwyn from Winnipegosis lives with Cerebral Palsy, and posted a Youtube video detailing his experience on December 16th at the Dauphin Walmart.

Shortly after entering the store, Alex explains he was approached by two security guards who insisted he put on a mask or leave.

Under Manitoba public health orders and Walmart Canada policies, Alex is exempt from having to wear a mask in store, as he’s unable to remove or put one on without assistance due to his disability.

After some back and forth with the security guards and speaking to the manager, Alex ultimately left the store. He says similar experiences he’s had during the pandemic have left him feeling hurt.

“It’s not so much my physical health, it’s my mental health that’s taking a toll. When I go out in public, people who don’t know me see me without a mask and shy away from me. I can feel them looking at me like, ‘why doesn’t he have a mask?’”.

Alex — who has written two books and has plans to launch an at-home business — doesn’t want his disability to define him.

“Ever since I was a little boy, I tried to present myself and not my disability.”

A statement from a Walmart spokesperson regarding the incident on Dec. 16 reads “we take issues of this nature very seriously and we are currently looking into the matter.”