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Manitobans received a significant update on Wednesday regarding the province’s vaccination campaign.
Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for Manitoba's vaccine task force, says the province expects to start receiving doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine by mid-March.
The AstraZeneca jab will first be put to use for at-risk Manitobans age 50 to 64.
Some experts say there isn’t enough data available at this time on the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine for those over the age of 65.
Reimer says the newly approved vaccine will not be given to any Manitobans over the age of 65, but suggests that could change as more data becomes available.
Manitoba’s vaccine task force will now be extending the period of time between the first and second dose in an effort to get more people some level of protection as soon as possible.
Data from some other counties, such as Scotland and Israel, suggests a single dose of an mRNA-based vaccine could be 70% to 80% effective in preventing infection.
With three vaccines now approved for use in Canada, and possibly a fourth on the way with Johnson and Johnson's option, it's still unclear how effective the vaccines are against new COVID variants.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Today health officials announced three more deaths due to COVID-19 and 51 new cases.
Today’s three deaths include two men and a woman from the Winnipeg health region.
The province also announced the outbreak at the McCreary/Alonsa Health Centre in McCreary has been declared over.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 3.8 percent provincially and 3.2 percent in Winnipeg.
Today’s new COVID-19 cases are in the following health regions:
• three cases in Interlake–Eastern health region
• 30 cases in the Northern health region
• zero cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• three cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• 15 cases in the Winnipeg health region
No new cases of COVID-19 variants have been identified in the province today.
There have been a total of 32,000 cases of the virus identified in Manitoba. The total number of deaths is 901.
There are 1,146 active cases in Manitoba and 29,953 people have recovered from the virus.
There are 70 people in hospital with active COVID-19 and 116 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 186 hospitalizations.
There are 10 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 and 14 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 24 ICU patients.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases of COVID-19 in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (0), Riding Mountain (0), Duck Mountain (2), Porcupine Mountain (2) and Asessippi (4). Brandon has 2 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 2 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis has 7.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Portage RCMP have now made an arrest following Tuesday's morning's fire in the city that officials deemed suspicious.
Police responded to the fire around 3 a.m. on March 2, and arrived to find the house completely engulfed in flames. The fire took over three hours to extinguish.
Several families lived in the building, and all occupants were able to evacuate safely.
A 24-year-old woman from Portage faces charges of assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and being unlawfully in a dwelling.
Investigators determined she started the fire by igniting items on the porch of the home, according to police.
She remains in custody and is now also charged with arson with disregard for human life and arson with damage to property.
Police will not be naming the suspect as there are concerns for her safety.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba First Nations Police officers say four people suffered stab wounds after a fight on Sandy Bay First Nation.
On Saturday, Feb. 27, police were called to a home where it was reported that someone had been stabbed.
When officers arrived at the home they located a man with a knife and took him into custody without incident.
A 26-year-old man was air-lifted by STARS to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and was treated for his injuries. It's reported he is in stable condition.
Police learned there were three others suffering stab wounds from the incident. They were all treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
A 28-year-old man from Sandy Bay First Nation has been charged with assault with a weapon and will appear in court at a later date.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The daily update on COVID-19 in Manitoba reports 64 new cases of the virus — three of which are variants of concern.
Manitoba has now identified a total of six cases of the B.1.1.7 variant, also known as the U.K. variant.
Health officials are also reporting two cases of the B.1.351 variant, also known as the South Africa variant.
The variant cases identified Tuesday are all from the Winnipeg health region.
Public health is also reporting two deaths today — a man in his 70s from the Interlake—Eastern health region, as well as a man in his 50s linked to an outbreak at a Winnipeg hospital.
Today the province announced which measures will be relaxed under the new health order taking effect Friday. Click here to read more.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 4% provincially and 3.2% in Winnipeg. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba is 31,950.
The provincial data shows there are 1,151 active cases and 29,901 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.
There are 69 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 118 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care (187 hospitalizations total).
There are 11 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 14 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care (25 ICU patients total).
The total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 898.
Today’s new COVID-19 cases are from the following health regions:
· three cases in Interlake–Eastern health region
· 16 cases in the Northern health region
· two cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
· seven cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
· 36 cases in the Winnipeg health region
According to the province’s data, there are active cases of COVID-19 in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (0), Riding Mountain (0), Duck Mountain (2), Porcupine Mountain (2) and Asessippi (4). Brandon has 2 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 2 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis has 8.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Manitoba government has confirmed which restrictions will be relaxed under the new public health orders, which take effect later this week.
On Tuesday morning, Premier Brian Pallister was joined by chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin in announcing the details of the next phase of reopening.
The new health orders will go into effect Friday, March 5th at 12:01 a.m.
Under the new orders, Manitoba households have the option of continuing to designate two visitors to their home, or choosing to designate a second household who can visit with each other.
Gatherings sizes at outdoor places will be increased to 10.
Capacity limits are being increased at restaurants, retail stores, malls and personal services to 50% or 250 people, whichever is lower. Places of worship can increase their capacity limit to 25% or 100 people, whichever is lower.
Restaurants in Manitoba must continue enforcing the one-household per table rule under the updated orders.
Businesses other than casinos may resume operating video lottery terminals (VLT) with physical distancing and barriers in place.
The province is also relaxing some of the rules for recreation and fitness facilities, including allowing day camps for children to operate at 25% capacity.
Indoor recreation and sporting facilities such as pools, fitness centres, rinks, courts and ranges can open at 25% total capacity
The province has indicated it will stick with the three-week timeframe for updating the health orders — meaning the next update and possible relaxation of more restrictions is set for March 26th.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Officials are still trying to determine the cause of a large fire at a livestock auction mart in southwest Manitoba.
On Monday night, a blaze at Pipestone Livestock Sales caused extensive damage.
Firefighters from Melita and a volunteer crew from Pipestone were on the scene to extinguish the fire.
Reports say no animals or human lives were lost in the incident.
Pipestone is located just over an hour drive southwest of Brandon.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
The Manitoba government is expected to make an announcement this morning regarding the relaxation of some COVID restrictions.
Premier Brian Pallister will be joined by chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin for an 11 a.m. press conference.
It’s expected the pair will confirm which public health orders will be relaxed when the orders are updated this Friday.
Some of the possible changes floated by the province last week include increasing capacity limits at restaurants, retail stores, and churches.
Also up for consideration is expanding outdoor gathering sizes to 10 people, allowing Manitobans to “bubble up” with another household, and relaxing some restrictions for recreation and fitness facilities.
Stay tuned to 730 CKDM and 730CKDM.com for all the important updates from today’s announcement.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Fisher Branch RCMP are searching for a missing 15-year-old last seen on Peguis First Nation.
Anakeisha Sunshine Thomas was reported missing on February 25th and was last seen on February 19 at the Peguis Mall.
Police believe she travelled to Winnipeg.
She is described as 5’7”, 180 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
RCMP ask that any information about her whereabouts be directed to Fisher Branch RCMP at 204-372-8484, or Crime Stoppers.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
RCMP in Portage la Prairie have made eight arrests after seizing drugs, guns and cash from multiple homes last week.
On Friday, Feb. 26, police simultaneously executed search warrants at three different residences in Portage.
RCMP say weapons and large amounts of drugs were located by police.
A large number of prescription drugs recovered from one of the homes is believed to be linked to a recent break and enter at a pharmacy in Portage on February 17th.
In total, RCMP officers seized more than a kilogram of methamphetamine, three ounces of cocaine, a small amount of what appears to be fentanyl/carfentanyl, Canadian currency, four firearms, a pellet gun, and a large amount of prescription drugs.
Jeremy Whincup, 50, and Kayla Whitford, 31, from Portage la Prairie were arrested and among other charges, face firearm and drug trafficking charges. Both remain in custody.
Five other adults, a 24-year-old male, 26-year-old male, 27-year-old female, 35-year-old female, and 37-year-old male, were arrested, charged, and released for a court date.
A 16-year-old female was also arrested, charged, and released for a court date.
The investigation continues.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Health officials have announced one more death and 35 new cases of COVID-19 today.
The province’s most recent death is a man in his 60’s from Winnipeg.
Today Manitoba expanded the eligibility criteria at vaccination supersites to include individuals born on or before Dec. 31, 1930, and First Nations people born on or before Dec. 31. 1950.
The province is now releasing more information on the race, ethnicity and Indigeneity (REI) from people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Manitoba. To review the full report, click here.
There have been a total of 31,894 cases of the virus identified in Manitoba.
The total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 896
Today’s new COVID-19 cases are in the following health regions:
• two cases in Interlake–Eastern health region
• 16 cases in the Northern health region
• zero cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• one case in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• 16 cases in the Winnipeg health region
There are 1,171 active cases and 29,827 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.
There are 68 people in hospital with active COVID-19 and 116 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 184 hospitalizations.
There are 12 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 25 ICU patients.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases of COVID-19 in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (0), Riding Mountain (0), Duck Mountain (2), Porcupine Mountain (2) and Asessippi (4). Brandon has 2 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 2 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis has 8.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
