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On Wednesday the province released a four-stage immunization plan for COVID-19 vaccinations in Manitoba.
The plan outlines priority groups based on age, with varying timelines for immunization dependant on the supply of vaccines.
Officials say older Manitobans could become eligible for vaccinations by March, starting with those older than 95 and moving down in one year increments.
Dr. Joss Reimer says this prioritization of population groups “reflects what we know about COVID-19, including who is at greatest risk of serious illness and who is most likely to be exposed to the virus.”
In a situation where the supply of vaccines to Manitoba is high, younger Manitobans aged 18 to 29 could start getting vaccinated by the end of August, according to health officials on Wednesday.
At this time, COVID-19 vaccines are only being given to front-line health-care workers providing direct patient care, personal care home residents and staff, and high risk individuals living in First Nations communities.
As of Wednesday morning, a total of 55,650 doses of vaccine has been delivered to Manitoba (40,950 doses of Pfizer vaccine, 14,700 doses of the Moderna vaccine).
A vaccine delivery is not expected this week, due to delays in the federally-sourced vaccine supply from Pfizer-BioNTech. No new information has been provided to Manitoba about the shipments of the Pfizer vaccine during the week of Feb. 8 or in later weeks.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Public health officials announced 95 new cases of COVID-19 and 4 more deaths today.
Two of today’s deaths are in Winnipeg, and the other two are from the Southern Health region. There have been a total of 813 deaths due to COVID-19 in Manitoba.
Manitoba has had a total of 28,996 cases since the start of the pandemic.
Today’s new COVID-19 cases are in the following health regions:
• two cases in Interlake–Eastern health region
• 43 cases in the Northern health region
• three cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• three cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region and
• 44 cases in the Winnipeg health region
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 9.6 percent provincially and 6.1 percent in Winnipeg
There are 3,456 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 24,727 recoveries.
There are 127 people in hospital with active COVID-19 and 154 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 281 hospitalizations.
There are 24 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 and 12 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 36 ICU patients.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (3), Riding Mountain (3), Porcupine Mountain (49), Duck Mountain (4), Asessippi (15), Little Saskatchewan (6), Whitemud (1), and Agassiz Mountain (24). Brandon has 51 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 71 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis also has 69.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The second phase of consultations for a new income support program for people with severe and prolonged disabilities has been launched by the province.
Families Minister Rochelle Squires made the announcement today saying the government is committed to supporting Manitobans with disabilities.
“This second consultation phase is an opportunity to provide additional feedback that will help us develop the program to improve the quality of life for individuals with severe and prolonged disabilities.”
The first virtual focus group consultations are scheduled for February 2nd and 4th. During the first phase of consultations early last year, hundreds of Manitobans shared their views online and in-person on the design of the new program.
This round will focus on ways to develop key components of the new disability income support program particularly accessible and informed service navigation options.
Right now, Manitobans with disabilities who require income support are eligible for Employment and Income Assistance (EIA), whereas several other provinces offer separate programs tailored to the unique needs of that population.
To take the survey or sign up for a virtual engagement session, click here.
The deadline for completing the online survey is Feb. 26.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
RCMP have arrested a man from Sandy Bay First Nation after he threatened to kill several people at a home in Portage la Prairie.
On Monday, Jan. 25, officers received a complaint that a man was threatening to kill people and was armed with a conducted energy weapon at a home on 21st Street NW.
Police learned that an argument had broken out at the home while four people were inside when a 40-year-old man began to utter threats and brought out the weapon. The man left the home without injuring anyone.
RCMP seized a conducted energy weapon from the home on 21st Street NW in Portage la Prairie
Officers arrested 40-year-old Bradley Roulette from Sandy Bay First Nation and seized the conducted energy weapon. Roulette, also known as Spike, is facing charges including uttering threats, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a weapon contrary to order, and failing to comply with probation.
He remains in custody
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba RCMP say a woman reported missing on Monday, November 16 has been found safe.
Sara Scott was seen leaving an apartment building on 1st Ave SW in Dauphin on Nov. 9.
She has been located, and police are thanking the public for their help.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Health officials announced 94 new cases of COVID-19 and 5 deaths today, including a woman in her 90’s from Prairie Mountain health.
The other 4 deaths announced today are all in Winnipeg. There have been a total of 809 deaths in Manitoba.
Today’s new COVID-19 cases are in the following health regions:
• zero cases in Interlake–Eastern health region
• 36 cases in the Northern health region
• 15 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• two cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region and
• 41 cases in the Winnipeg health region
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 10.3 percent provincially and 6.4 percent in Winnipeg.
Manitoba has reported a total of 28,902 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
There are 3,492 active cases of COVID-19 and 24,601 people who have recovered.
There are 140 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 137 people in hospital with who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 277 hospitalizations.
There are 25 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 and 13 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 38 ICU patients.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (4), Riding Mountain (3), Porcupine Mountain (50), Duck Mountain (4), Asessippi (15), Little Saskatchewan (6), and Agassiz Mountain (27). Brandon has 58 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 70 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis also has 70.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
A new public health order announced by the premier on Tuesday will impose more restrictions on interprovincial travel.
Premier Brian Pallister says these formal travel restrictions are in part designed to reduce the risk of importing any new COVID-19 strains from other jurisdictions. There are several variants of the novel coronavirus — some of which have raised concerns after proving to be significantly more transmissible than the original.
A release from the province states the public health orders will be amended on Jan. 29 so that anyone entering Manitoba from anywhere in Canada will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
This includes those entering from northern and Western Canada, and from west of Terrace Bay in Ontario, which under previous health orders did not require self-isolation.
Current exemptions to self-isolation measures are still in effect including those travelling for essential interprovincial work and people travelling for medical purposes.
There will also continue to be exemptions for people who regularly travel to and from communities near the borders for essential purposes.
Manitobans currently out-of-province will have until 11:59 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28 to return to the province without being required to self-isolate.
The province says violations of the self-isolation order will be subject to fines.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
A plea hearing for the Bowsman man accused of ramming the gate of Rideau Hall and threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been postponed.
Corey Hurren appeared virtually this morning before his hearing was moved to February 5th so he can be transferred to Ottawa.
Hurren faces 22 criminal charges after allegedly driving his truck through the gates of Trudeau’s home and uttering threats back on July 2nd.
According to the RCMP’s investigation, Hurren wanted Trudeau arrested for a number of policy decisions that include the new firearms restrictions and the federal government’s COVID-19 response.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Over $47,000 dollars in fines were handed out to Manitobans in the past week for not following COVID-19 guidelines.
A total of 29 tickets were issued to individuals ($1,296 each), 16 for failing to wear a mask ($298 each), and one to a Manitoba business ($5,000 each). There were 46 fines issued in total.
Ashern Foods in Ashern was the only business to be fined in the past week.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than $1.2 million in fines have been issued to businesses and individuals in Manitoba.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
A community lockdown in Pine Creek First Nation has been extended.
Pine Creek First Nation Chief and Council sent out a letter Monday announcing the lockdown will be in place until February 4, at which point it will be reassessed.
Pine Creek First Nation community members are asked to refrain from driving around the community and visiting other households during the lockdown.
Check stops are set up at each road coming into the community.
Leadership says breaking the lockdown rules could lead to fines from security officers.
A lockdown on Pine Creek First Nation was first announced on Thursday, January 21 in response to a confirmed COVID-19 case in the community.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
