Public health officials advise that one new death in a person with COVID-19 has been reported today:
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the B.1.1.7 variant of concern.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 7.2 per cent provincially and 8.2 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 295 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, five cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 290 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 38,729. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• 12 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 17 cases in the Northern health region;  
• 50 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• 29 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 187 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 2,375 active cases and 35,380 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 87 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 62 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 149 hospitalizations;
• 24 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 15 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 39 ICU patients;
• 3,526 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 660,625; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 974.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

The testing site at 3975 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg will close tomorrow, Saturday, May 1 as the site needs the space for regular operations. The final day for testing will be today. For alternative testing locations and to book an appointment online visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/locations.html.

As Manitoba moves through its third wave, testing numbers have begun to increase steadily. Public health officials are reminding Manitobans that in most cases, they should only seek testing at a provincial test site if they are symptomatic, have been identified as a close contact or have been directed to be tested by public health. This will help ensure those who need to be tested can continue to access testing as easily as possible.

Manitobans have several options available to access testing including drive-thru, walk-in or by booking an appointment by calling toll-free 1-855-268-4318 or online at select sites through https://patient.petalmd.com/login?groupId=5930&locale=en.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

The Manitoba government will provide more than 25 million dollars to support youth employment opportunities this summer through two programs. Premier Brian Pallister says the first is a new program. 

He explains the new 15 million dollar Manitoba Youth Jobs Program is a wage subsidy program that will run from May to September this year and it will support more than two thousand Manitoba businesses and organizations who will be the drivers of Manitoba’s economic recovery. 

He says it will provide meaningful employment opportunities for over they anticipate six thousand Manitoba youth.  He adds the program will provide employers with a fifty percent wage subsidy for eligible employees up to a maximum of 25 thousand dollars per employer.

The province is also investing more than ten million dollars in the Green Team grant programs to help an estimated two thousand youth find summer employment.  Urban and Home Town Green Teams allow municipalities and non-profits to hire youth aged 15 to 29 to work on community project between May 1^st and September 30^th. 

You can find more information on the Manitoba government website www.gov.mb.ca.

The Town of The Pas has announced that the landfill will now be switching to their summer hours starting tomorrow.

Until September 30^th the landfill will be open 11AM until 8PM and will be closed for lunch from 3PM until 4PM.

Public health officials advise that two new deaths in a person with COVID-19 have been reported today:

• a female in her 50s from Northern health region; and
• a male in his 60s from Northern health region.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 7.2 per cent provincially and 8.3 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 230 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, two cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 228 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 38,439. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

• five cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 11 cases in the Northern health region;  
• 23 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• 14 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 177 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 2,263 active cases and 35,203 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 80 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 62 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 142 hospitalizations;
• 28 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 13 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 41 ICU patients;
• 2,941 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 656,519; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 973.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

The testing site at 3975 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg will close May 1 as the site needs the space for regular operations. The final day for testing will be April 30. For alternative testing locations and to book an appointment online visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/locations.html.

As Manitoba moves through its third wave, testing numbers have begun to increase steadily. Public health officials are reminding Manitobans that in most cases, they should only seek testing at a provincial test site if they are symptomatic, have been identified as a close contact or have been directed to get tested by public health. This will help ensure that those who need to be tested can continue to access testing as easily as possible.

Manitobans have several options available to access testing, including drive-thru, walk-in, or by booking an appointment by calling (toll-free) 1-855-268-4318 or online at select sites through https://patient.petalmd.com/login?groupId=5930&locale=en.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

The Manitoba First Nations Police made an arrest during a traffic stop on April 17^th on Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

After the male driver failed to show his driver’s license the police found a can of pepper spray in the vehicle.

The 33 year old from OCN was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a weapon when prohibited.

Public health officials advise that three new deaths in a person with COVID-19 have been reported today:
• a female in her 20s from Northern health region;
• a male in his 20 from Winnipeg health region, linked to an unspecified variant of concern; and
• a female in her 100s from Southern Health–Santé Sud, linked to the B.1.1.7 variant of concern.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 7.5 per cent provincially and 8.4 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 189 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, three cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 186 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 38,211. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• 17 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• five cases in the Northern health region;  
• 27 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• 16 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 124 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 2,206 active cases and 35,034 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 78 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 56 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 134 hospitalizations; however, officials note this data does not include information from Prairie Mountain Health today due to issues with provincial data systems;
• 25 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as five people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 30 ICU patients; however, officials note this data does not include information from Prairie Mountain Health today due to issues with provincial data systems;
• 3,239 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 653,076; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 971.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

Public health advises that under the revised public health orders, all gatherings on the property of a private residence are prohibited. This includes both indoor and outdoor gatherings including garage sales.

The testing site at 3975 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg will close May 1 as the site needs the space for regular operations. The final day for testing will be April 30. For alternative testing locations and to book an appointment online visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/locations.html.

As Manitoba moves through the third wave, the testing numbers have begun to steadily increase. Public health officials are reminding Manitobans that in most cases, they should only seek testing at a provincial test site if they are symptomatic or have been advised by public health that they are a close contact. This will help ensure that those who need to be tested can continue to access testing as easily as possible.

Manitobans have several options available to access testing including drive-thru, walk-in or by booking an appointment by calling (toll-free) 1-855-268-4318 or online at select sites through https://patient.petalmd.com/login?groupId=5930&locale=en.

Updated enforcement statistics are posted online weekly. For more information, go to Cross-Departmental Reports at https://manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/departments/index.html.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

To celebrate Manitoba’s 150^th anniversary seven Manitoba communities including The Pas will have a new outdoor mural.

These murals will tell stories about their respective communities and The Pas mural will be done by Artist Ashley tower.

The Highway 10/60 Gang attempted to clean up the Highway 10/60 intersection south of The Pas on Monday and managed to pick up a few bags of trash and some bags of recyclables.

There is still a lot of trash to pick up so they will be having another clean up on May 8^th and interested volunteers will meet at A&W at 10AM on that date.

You can also call the group co founder Paulette Aamot 204-617-7659 if you are interested in joining the clean up.

Public health officials advise that no new deaths in a person with COVID-19 have been reported today.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 7.5 per cent provincially and 8.4 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 218 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, one case has been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 217 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 38,025. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• five cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 12 cases in the Northern health region;  
• 30 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• 15 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 156 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 2,173 active cases and 34,884 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• hospitalization and ICU data is not available today due to issues with provincial data systems;
• 2,806 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 649,827; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 968.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

An outbreak has been declared at École Marie-Anne-Gaboury in Winnipeg and it has moved to remote learning until May 7. An outbreak has been declared at Swan Valley Lodge Personal Care Home in Swan River. Both the school and the care home have been moved to the Critical (Red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

Another virtual MS walk for The Pas will be held again this year.

On May 30^th people will walk on their own to show support for MS and you can make a cash donation for the cause as well.

The local fundraising goal is $2000 and this is a link to the donation page

https://secure3.convio.net/mssoc/site/TR/Walk/NationalOffice?pg=entry&fr_id=7407

It was a busy weekend for The Pas Fire Department. They responded to a grass fire near First Street west that was later brought under control before responding to a call of a house fire on Sunday evening.

The fire crews responded just after 8:00 to the house fire on Lamb Crescent and the fire breached the attic but thankfully the fire didn’t enter the interior of the home.

Fire Chief Randy Manych says the fire started outside the home and the possible cause of the fire might have been a cigarette.

Manych wants to remind everyone to ensure cigarettes are properly extinguished before disposing of them.

Public health officials advise that one new death in a person with COVID-19 has been reported today:
• a female in her 60s from Winnipeg health region, linked to the B.1.1.7 variant of concern.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 7.6 per cent provincially and 8.2 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 210 new cases of the virus have been identified, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 37,808. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• 12 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 15 cases in the Northern health region;  
• 19 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• seven cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 157 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 2,093 active cases and 34,747 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 83 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 65 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 148 hospitalizations; 
• 21 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 16 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 37 ICU patients;
• 2,784 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 646,981; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 968.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

Possible public exposures linked to a variant of concern case include:
• April 16 – WestJet Flight WS526: departed Calgary at 9:50 p.m., arrived in Winnipeg 1 a.m., affected rows one to six.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.  

Manitoba is expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include all adults who live or work in the Northern Health Region.

Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson announced beginning today all adults who live and work in the north are eligible.

She says this recognizes the increased risks facing people in the north particularly as variants of concern become more prevalent in Manitoba.

All adults who live in the Northern Health Region are now eligible to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.  Anyone who regularly works in the region in any role is also eligible.

You can make an appointment by calling 1-844-626-8222 or online at protect.mb.ca

The local monthly Crime stats for the month of March have been finalized. The town of the pas had mostly disturbances of the peace and mischief cases.

The RM of Kelsey once again had mainly provincial traffic violations, and the community of Cormorant had three offences committed in total and two prisoners held.

Public health officials advise that two new deaths in people with COVID -19 have been reported today:
• a male in his 50s from Winnipeg health region; and
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the B.1.1.7 variant of concern.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 6.5 per cent provincially and 6.8 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 181 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, two cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 179 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 37,069. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• nine cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 29 cases in the Northern health region;  
• 19 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• 21 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 103 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 1,739 active cases and 34,366 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 73 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 71 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 144 hospitalizations; 
• 21 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 14 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 35 ICU patients;
• 3,581 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 637,894; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 964.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

The outbreak has been declared over at Boissevain School in Boissevain.

Public health advises of possible exposures to the B.1.1.7 variant of concern at Sioux Valley Community Church, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation at 11 a.m. on April 11 and at Skownan Hall, Skownan First Nation on April 12.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

The Co Founder of The Highway 10/60 gang spoke to Arctic Radio about this past Wednesdays clean up of the Highway 10/60 intersection.

Aamot says the area was so dirty that they didn’t end up finishing so they will be having another clean up this coming Monday.

Aamot encourages interested volunteers to take part in the next clean up.

New Volunteers are invited to take part in this Mondays clean up and if you are interested you can call Paulette at 204-617-7659 or you can meet the clean up group at A&W this Monday at 10AM.

Public health officials advise that one new death in a person with COVID-19 has been reported today:
• a male in his 70s from the Prairie Mountain Health region, linked to the Russell Health Centre.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 6.4 per cent provincially and 6.5 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 261 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, three cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net new number of cases today to 258 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 36,890.  

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
•    25 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region;  
•    36 cases in the Northern health region;   
•    10 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;   
•    31 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region; and   
•    159 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
•    1,682 active cases and 34,246 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
•    76 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 69 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 145 hospitalizations;  
•    21 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 14 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 35 ICU patients;
•    3,427 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 633,974; and
•    the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 962.

Ongoing reviews of active case information has allowed for the removal of an additional 910 cases from ‘active’ to ‘recovered’. This provides a more accurate reporting of active cases.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

Outbreaks have been declared over at Dauphin Personal Care Home in Dauphin and Fairview Personal Care Home in Brandon.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.  

The Sovereigns Medal for Volunteer recipients for 2021 have been announced and 16 volunteers from The Pas have been given the honour as part of National Volunteer Week.

The full list of winners can be found by following this link:

https://www.gg.ca/en/sovereigns-medal-volunteers-recipients?fbclid=IwAR1SFwqi6ooEq22aatE-Go6RVQiENHBB0Xn2bYYnipjIwZf0T6qU4SMZMTk

The provincial government is inviting students from all diverse backgrounds and all corners of the province to have a seat on the Minister of Educations Student Advisory Council. 

Education Minister Cliff Cullen says the Council will enable youth to discuss and provide input on aspects of the education system and how they affect the children and young people who experience it today, create a network of students across Manitoba and provide feedback on department initiatives and work collaboratively with fellow council members.

The Council will be made up of up to 20 Manitoba youth aged 14 to 18 and will report directly to the Minister of Education.  Council members will serve a 12 month term starting in August.  In addition to meeting with the minister they will meet with government staff and education stakeholders.

For more information and how to apply visit www.bettereducationmb.ca.  The deadline for applications is May 10^th, successful applicants will be announced in June and the Councils first meeting will be held in August.

Public health officials advise that one new death in a person with COVID -19 have been reported today:
• a male in his 50s from Northern Health region.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 6.3 per cent provincially and 6.6 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 164 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, two cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 162 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 36,632. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• 15 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region; 
• 30 cases in the Northern health region;  
• 19 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• 24 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region; and  
• 76 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 1,833 active cases and 33,838 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 72 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 65 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 137 hospitalizations; 
• 18 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 16 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 34 ICU patients;
• 2,785 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 630,143; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 961.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

Public health officials advise of a possible exposure to the B.1.1.7 variant of concern at McDonalds, 217 Mystery Lake Rd. in Thompson on April 8 from 4 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.; April 10 and 11 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and April 13 and 14 from 2  to 10 p.m. Any person experiencing symptoms since attending the site should isolate immediately and go for testing. For further assistance contact Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required. For up-to-date information on testing sites, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/locations.html.

An outbreak has been declared at St. Maurice Daycare Inc., in Winnipeg. The facility has been moved to the Critical (Red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Outbreaks have been declared over at Boyne Lodge Personal Care Home in Carman, Boissevain Hospital and Evergreen Place Personal Care Home in Boissevain and the MD Practice Solutions of Manitoba Inc., Health Science Centre unit GD4, Donwwod Manor, Heritage Lodge, Lions Manor Personal Care Home, Meadowood Manor, Oakview Place and Parkview Place all in Winnipeg.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.
 
Updated enforcement statistics are posted online weekly. For more information, go to Cross-Departmental Reports at https://manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/departments/index.html.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

Public health officials advise that one new death in a person with COVID -19 have been reported today:

• a female in her 90s from Prairie Mountain Health region, linked to the outbreak at Russell Health Centre.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is six per cent provincially and 6.3 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 211 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, eight cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 203 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 36,470. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

• 14 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 25 cases in the Northern health region;  
• 27 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• seven cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 138 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 1,783 active cases and 33,727 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 66 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 66 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 132 hospitalizations; 
• 18 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 15 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 33 ICU patients;
• 2,194 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 627,113; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 960.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

Outbreaks have been declared over at Grassroots Early Learning and Child Care Centre in Thompson, at Stony Mountain Institution in Stony Mountain and at the Flin Flon Personal Care Home in Flin Flon.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.
 
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

The next COVID 19 vaccine clinics for The Pas have been announced. They will be held at the Roy H Johnston Arena on April 21^st, 23^rd, 24^th, and the 28^th from 10:30 AM to 6:30PM.

If you are eligible for a vaccine call 1-844-626-8222

The Co Founder of a local group known as The Highway 10/60 Gang, Paulette Aamot is looking for volunteers to help clean up the intersection of Highway 10/60 tomorrow.

Volunteers will meet at the A&W parking lot at 10AM and volunteers are asked to dress for the weather and bring a pair of work gloves. Aamot was inspired to clean the intersection after seeing how messy it was.

If you are interested in volunteering call Aamot at 204-617-7659

The Kinsmen Club of The Pas has announced on social media that they have provided The Pas Families Building a Better Community Spray park and Skate park group with a donation of $25,000

Now that the spray park is completed the skate park project is something that The Pas Mayor Herb Jaques and town council members have strongly supported.

A design for the skate park can be found on The Pas Families BBC Facebook Group

A Get Better Together program will be available in The Pas starting on May 5th.  Regional Community Health Developer Christa McIntyre says it’s a free interactive group program that will be available online.

She explains Get Better Together is a six session program and its designed for individuals living with any type of ongoing health issues and in the six weeks individuals can build confidence to better manage their illness through group support and discussion on a wide variety of topics such as healthy eating, physical activity, managing pain and fatigue, and action planning.

The virtual Get Better Together program will begin online May 5th and run for six weeks. For information or to register call Russell at 204-627-6419.

Public health officials advise that no new deaths in people with COVID -19 have been reported today.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 5.7 per cent provincially and 5.7 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 108 new cases of the virus have been identified. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 36,267. 

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• 12 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• five cases in the Northern health region;  
• 10 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• 18 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 63 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 1,685 active cases and 33,623 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 62 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 70 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 132 hospitalizations; 
• 15 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 15 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 30 ICU patients;
• 2,491 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 624,868; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 959.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

An outbreak has been declared at the Dauphin Personal Care Home in Dauphin. The site has been moved to the Critical (red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event  and click on your region.
 
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

The provincial government recently released their 2021 budget, which yet again, fails to serve the North and meet our communities’ education, health, vaccines and internet connectivity needs. It also continues to demonstrate this government’s failure to consult and work with our First Nations communities and how little they understand the issues our communities face. That is why I stood with my NDP colleagues in the House and voted against this budget on April 14 as soon as the debate ended.

It was an honour to go on record as the MLA for The Pas-Kameesak and provided my response to the budget during the debate. My response primarily focused on education and health in northern Manitoba. Education should not be messed with. We need a good education system to build strong, healthy communities. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem as though this government is focused on improving outcomes for our kids, just their bottom line. I have met with Kelsey School Division to discuss many important issues. Kelsey School Division will likely be facing a shortfall between $350,000-$600,000 for the impending salary backpay shortfall, because of the Pallister Governments unconstitutional wage freezes, unless funding is provided by this budget.

Our communities cannot afford any more cuts to programs at the hands of this government. Any cut could translate into larger class sizes, delaying repairs and new equipment, layoffs and more. Our northern school divisions are also in a unique position compared to the rest of the province as our communities require more resource and counseling services. As a result, KSD spends more of their budget on average in these two areas compared to other divisions in Manitoba (10.5% vs. 7.4%). This budget also fails to allocate more money to improve internet connectivity for Northern students. This issue needs to be sorted out as soon as possible to ensure our students learning is not compromised.

The Pallister government has also announced that education property taxes will be phased out, but have not yet mentioned how this revenue will be made up in the long term. As a parent with children attending school in our school division, I am worried about this. In fact, this has many people worried that our school divisions will see more cuts to make up this shortfall.

Others have argued that these tax cuts were implemented earlier than originally planned in order to divert attention away from this government’s disastrous education reform. Their Bill 64 – The Education Modernization Act, fails to mention poverty or mental health, two factors that greatly affect education outcomes. There was also only one representative from the North on the review committee and when a reporter asked if there was going to be Indigenous representation on these authorities the minister said “skill sets will be looked at”. As an Indigenous woman, I found this response offensive and unhelpful.

Finally, this budget doesn’t address a lack of health care in the North and the need for people to travel to Winnipeg which is very stressful, financially and physically. Many people in the north do not agree with the previous cuts that have been made to the Northern Patient Transportation Program. The program does not serve us well and just creates stress on our families. With that stress, many do not make it to their appointments and their health diminishes.

Access to health care is a human right and we need to uphold that. More investments in the north’s health care system are urgently needed to ensure care close to home and this budget was yet another missed opportunity to improve people’s lives in the north.

Please stay safe. If anyone wishes to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns, please send me an email at Amanda.lathlin@yourmanitoba.ca or call me at 1-204-623-2034. Kinanaskomitin.

Public health officials advise that no additional deaths in people with COVID-19 have been reported today.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 5.1 per cent provincially and 4.9 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 127 new cases of the virus have been identified. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba is 35,815. 
 
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• 12 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 29 cases in the Northern health region;  
• six cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• five cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 75 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 1,551 active cases and 33,309 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 60 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 70 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 130 hospitalizations; 
• 17 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 17 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 34 ICU patients;
• 1,954 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 615,906; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 955.

Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

An outbreak has been declared at Middlechurch Personal Care Home in Winnipeg and the Flin Flon Personal Care Home in Flin Flon. The facilities have been moved to the Critical (Red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

An outbreak has been declared over at Unit B5 at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.

Public health officials advise of a possible exposure to the B.1.1.7 variant of concern at the Thompson Walmart between 3:30 and 5 p.m. on April 6 and the Thompson Safeway between 2 and 3 p.m. on April 10, both located at 300 Mystery Lake Rd. in Thompson. Any person experiencing symptoms since attending these sites should isolate immediately and go for testing. For further assistance, contact Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required. For up-to-date information on testing sites, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/locations.html.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.
 
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

The Pas Citizens on Patrol is looking for new members to join their team to patrol the community and report criminal activity to the police.

Those interested in joining are asked to call Paulette Aamot at 204-617-7659.

You must be 18 years old or older to be a member.

Treaty 1 Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg MB—Today the NDP bill that will help children and young people in northern and isolated communities access crucial health care when they have been sexually assaulted passed second reading with support from all parties.

This bill was first introduced by NDP MLA for The Pas-Kameesak, Amanda Lathlin, in November.Amanda Lathilin was the first First Nations Woman elected to the Manitoba Legislature in 2015 and this is her first bill to pass second reading. “Today marks a critical step in supporting young people in the North,” said Lathilin.

“Too many communities, especially in northern Manitoba, do not have the health professionals to provide support to children who are victims of sexual abuse,” said Lathlin. “This means that if a minor comes forward to report sexual abuse they haveto leave their community and travel by plane to Winnipeg just so evidence can be gathered and charges can be laid. It’s an unnecessary layer of trauma for victims and a very real obstacle to finding perpetrators of sexual assault.

”Bill 213 would require the province to report annually on the number of health professionals trained and approved to examine child victims of sexual assault. It would also require the province to publicly report on the number of evidence kits available in all health regions.

Currently in Northern communities like The Pas, only adults have access to sexual assault kits administered by the RCMP. If a minor reports sexual assault they are flown to the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg where they are seen by a sexual assault nurse examiner.

Health professionals use evidence kits to gather DNA evidence which can later be used by police to charge perpetrators of sexual assault.This inequality in access to resources for victims of sexual assault has grave implications on the number of minors who report abuse and the mental and emotional health of young victims.

“Our children deserve better,” said Lathlin. “I'm calling on the province today to ensure speedy passage of this bill.

Public health officials advise that one additional death in a person with COVID-19 has been reported today:

• a female in her 30s from the Interlake–Eastern health region.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 5.3 per cent provincially and 5.1 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 153 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, four cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 149 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 35,688. 
 
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• 10 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 57 cases in the Northern health region;  
• seven cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• six cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 73 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 1,528 active cases and 33,205 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 62 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 75 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 137 hospitalizations; 
• 16 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 19 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 35 ICU patients;
• 2,648 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 613,701; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 955.

Public health officials advise the first case of the P1 variant of concern, first identified in Brazil, has been confirmed by sequencing in Manitoba. The case was identified in an individual from the Interlake–Eastern health region. Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

An outbreak has been declared at the Parkview Place Long Term Personal Care Home in Winnipeg. The facility has been moved to the Critical (Red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.
 
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

On April 12, 2021, at approximately 3:35 pm, RCMP responded to a report of shots fired inside a residence at Valleyview Trailer Court, in The Pas. It was reported that a male had discharged a firearm in the home, but no one was injured.

Officers responded immediately and contained the area. One victim had exited the residence, however the suspect, and another person, were still inside.

An RCMP crisis negotiator made contact with a female inside the home, who was then able to get out of the residence safely.

The officer then made contact with the suspect and convinced him to surrender peacefully. The suspect exited the residence and was arrested without incident.

A 44-year-old male was arrested and he is facing charges of Discharging a Firearm, Pointing a Firearm, and Firearms Storage Contrary to Regulations x4.

Officers seized several firearms from inside the residence.

The Pas RCMP continue to investigate.

A student at Margaret Barbour collegiate was confirmed to have tested positive for COVID 19 and the case is being treated as a variant of concern.

A teacher and students in one class that the student attended were asked to self isolate for a period of time.

The school is still open for business and they are continuing to follow COVID 19 safety measures.

Public health officials advise that three additional deaths of people with COVID-19 have been reported today:
• a female in her 50 from Prairie Mountain Health region;
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region; and
• a male in his 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 5.3 per cent provincially and 5.2 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 86 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, six cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 80 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 35,539. 
 
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• seven cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 16 cases in the Northern health region;  
• five cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• five cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 53 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 1,439 active cases and 33,146 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 64 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 78 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 142 hospitalizations; 
• 16 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 21 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 37 ICU patients;
• 2,436 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 610,799; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 954.

Data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Additional data related to COVID-19, data on outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

The outbreak has been declared over at Riverview Health Centre personal care home in Winnipeg.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

Updated enforcement statistics are posted online weekly. For more information, go to Cross-Departmental Reports at https://manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/departments/index.html.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.   

Public health officials advise that two additional deaths of people with COVID-19 have been reported today:
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the B.1.1.7 variant of concern; and
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Holy Family Home.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is six per cent provincially and 5.7 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 135 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, three cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 132 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 35,459. 
 
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• two cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 34 cases in the Northern health region;  
• five cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• five cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 89 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 1,438 active cases and 33,070 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 62 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 76 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 138 hospitalizations; 
• 14 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 19 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 33 ICU patients;
• 1,955 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 608,345 and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 951.

Today, public health officials are reporting the first case of a variant of concern in northern Manitoba. Additional data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. This dashboard will be the main source of information as the B.1.1.7 is becoming the dominant variant in Manitoba. Additional data related to COVID-19, data on outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the Fairview Personal Care Home in Brandon. The site has been moved to the Critical (red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.
 
In partnership with the chief and council from Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, provincial public health officials have lifted the public health orders in place for that community. All other general public health orders in Manitoba remain in effect for the community.  

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

An organizing group is looking into holding a North American EV Rally in 2022. 

The group’s Volker Beckmann from Thompson says Manitoba has one of the lowest electricity rates in North America and an abundant supply of clean sustainable energy yet Manitoba’s EV infrastructure is seriously lacking in the north.

He explains even if they wanted an electric car in Flin Flon or Thompson for example from Tesla he could order one and they deliver it to your door but you wouldn’t be able to drive to Winnipeg because the distances in between are too far so we need somebody to take a look at that and there’s different ways that could be done in terms of getting EV infrastructure into the north and that’s missing right now unfortunately noting Manitoba is the furthest behind in EV development compared to the rest of the provinces in our country.

Beckmann says we need the province or Manitoba Hydro to support the installation of level three charging stations in each community to allow residents and visitors to reach all parts of the province and allow for events like an EV rally.  He adds there is funding available to communities for installations until June 22nd with information at www.nrcan.gc.ca.

Opasquia Trails has announced that The Pas Community Renewal Corporation has provided a donation of $875 to the Grace Lake Boardwalk and Trail.

Shawn Sexsmith from Opasquia Trails says the TPCRC has been a partner with Opasquia Trails from the start and they are thankful that they continue to support the trail.

Opasquia Trails raised over $300,000 towards this project with the hopes of starting construction in the spring of this year with the total cost of construction set to be close to $700,000.

The Trail will start at the Kelsey Watershed District Office and end at the Boreal Discovery Trail.

Last week, Opaskwayak Cree Nation members took part in a guaranteed livable income vigil day event held at the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre to show their support for low income community members.

The event was organized by the United Church and the occasion supported the guaranteed livable income movement that would provide every Canadian with a livable income.

Participants took photos during the vigil and uploaded them to social media with a goal of getting the attention of important political figures.

One of the attendees Doris Young stated that a basic income is not a waste of money but rather something that is needed in our area of society.

Public health officials advise that no additional deaths in a person with COVID-19 are being reported today.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 6.2 per cent provincially and 5.6 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 114 new cases of the virus have been identified. This brings the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 35,327. 
 
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• three cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 36 cases in the Northern health region;  
• nine cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• four cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 62 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
The data also shows:
• 1,370 active cases and 33,008 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 57 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 78 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 135 hospitalizations; 
• 14 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 19 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 33 ICU patients;
• 2,030 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 606,373; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 949.

Data on variants of concern is updated from Tuesday to Saturday at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. This dashboard will be the main source of information as the B.1.1.7 is becoming the dominant variant in Manitoba. Additional data related to COVID-19, data on outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the Emerson Health Centre in Emerson. The site has been moved to the Critical (red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.
 
A new Fast Pass site opened in Winkler today at the existing drive-thru testing site at 485 George Ave. for eligible school staff and those working in licensed child-care centres. No appointments are necessary and the site operates in the drive-thru format. Clients will be asked if they meet eligibility criteria and to present proof of eligibility, such as a work identification card or letter for the Fast Pass program, upon arrival and will then be given a rapid test.

Hours of operation for the Winkler Fast Pass program are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. For more information on the Fast Pass program, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/rapid-testing.html.

Other possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.   

Public health officials advise that three additional deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:
• a male in his 20s from the Northern health region;
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region; and
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Golden Links Lodge.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 5.5 per cent provincially and 5.1 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 179 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, three cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 176 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 34,969. 

Public health officials are announcing 37 new screened or sequenced cases of the variants of concern have been detected today. Of these, 33 are B.1.1.7 variants of concern with 28 from the Winnipeg health region, one from Interlake–Eastern health region, three from the Prairie Mountain Health region and one from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region. Four new screened or sequenced uncategorized cases have been detected with one from the Interlake–Eastern health region and three from the Winnipeg health region.
 
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• two cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 84 cases in the Northern health region;  
• nine cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• seven cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 77 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:
• 1,180 active cases and 32,840 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; 
• 56 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 80 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 136 hospitalizations; 
• 14 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 21 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 35 ICU patients; 
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 949; and
• the total number of screened or sequenced cases related to variants of concern for the following:
? B.1.1.7 is 332;
? B.1.351 is 20;
? cases that have not been categorized is 24; and
? the total number of variant of concern cases is 376.

Ongoing reviews of active case information has allowed for the removal of an additional 317 cases to ‘recovered’ from ‘active’ and provides a more accurate reporting of active cases.

Laboratory testing numbers show 2,474 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 599,622. 

An outbreak has been declared at Extendicare/Oakview Place personal care home. The facility has been moved to the Critical (Red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

An outbreak has been declared at Boissevain School in Boissevain. The school has moved to remote learning until April 23 as an enhanced measure and response, and the facility has been moved to the Restricted (Orange) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Additional data related to COVID-19, including data on outbreaks as well as some downloadable and historic data, can be found at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.  

(The Pas and Thompson, MB) –University College of the North’s (UCN) current issue of Muses from the North (MFTN), the 7th in the series, is a collection of student essays as they reflect on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their learning and living experiences.

The students depict their reactions to the global pandemic in many ways in their writings as they try to find hope and meaning in their lives in the face of all the disruptive events of 2020.

“COVID-19 has affected each and every person in almost indescribable ways,” said Elizabeth Tritthart, MFTN student editor and print copy designer. “It has been an extremely challenging time for most, and I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to work so closely with so many outstanding individuals on this special release of Muses from the North."

The COVID-19-themed issue contains twelve reflective essays from the student perspective.

“This issue of MFTN holds a special place in my heart because it offers the reader the auspicious privilege of looking through the students’ lenses the extent of their struggles and victories in this year of a pandemic. We are all in this together, and we all have our stories,” said Dr. Joseph Atoyebi, MFTN Co-Editor and UCN English Professor. 

“Our students are bringing a positive attitude into their online learning experience,” said Dr. Ying Kong, MFTN Co-Editor and UCN English Professor. “As instructors, we should be proud of our online teaching skills and be grateful to our online support teams, who make online teaching accessible to our students.”

An online version of the MFTN journal is accessible to a global audience at ucn.ca/musesfromthenorth.

University College of the North provides learning opportunities to northern communities while respecting diverse Indigenous and northern values.

Public health officials advise that three additional deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region;
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Holy Family Home; and
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 4.8 per cent provincially and 4.6 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 139 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, two cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 137 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 34,793. 

Public health officials are announcing 40 new screened or sequenced cases of the variants of concern have been detected today. Of these, 37 are B.1.1.7 variants of concern with 32 from the Winnipeg health region, two from Interlake–Eastern health region, two from the Prairie Mountain Health region and one from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region. Three new screened or sequenced uncategorized cases have been detected and are from the Winnipeg health region. 

In addition, officials report that a previously reported death has been linked to a variant of concern. The death, linked to the B.1.1.7 variant, occurred in late March in a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg region.
 
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• zero cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 55 cases in the Northern health region;  
• 18 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• six cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 60 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:
• 1,066 active cases and 32,781 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; 
• 58 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 83 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 141 hospitalizations; 
• 13 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 20 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 33 ICU patients; 
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 946; and
• the total number of screened or sequenced cases related to variants of concern for the following:
? B.1.1.7 is 298;
? B.1.351 is 20;
? cases that have not been categorized is 21; and
? the total number of variant of concern cases is 339.

Ongoing reviews of active case information has allowed for the removal of an additional 317 cases to ‘recovered’ from ‘active’ and provides a more accurate reporting of active cases.

Laboratory testing numbers show 2,027 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 596,872. 

An outbreak has been declared at Boissevain Health Centre and Evergreen Place Personal Care Home in Boissevain. The facility has been moved to the Critical (Red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Additional data related to COVID-19, including data on outbreaks as well as some downloadable and historic data, can be found at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

New Public Health Orders

Public health officials advise minor amendments are being made to current public health orders. The changes include allowing liquor cart sales on golf courses and increasing the maximum attendance at self-help meetings to 25.

The changes will come into effect on Friday, Apr. 9 at 12:01 a.m. Due to increasing test positivity rates and the risk posed by variants of concern in Manitoba at this time, the orders are being extended to Apr. 30.

Personal Care Home Visitor Guidelines

Personal care home visitor guidelines have recently been updated to allow for up to two general visitors to visit a resident at the same time, provided the visit occurs outdoors, and one general visitor in a COVisitation shelter or designated indoor visitation room.

Visitors will be required to wear a medical-grade mask, which will be provided by the facility. In-room visitation continues to be limited to designated family caregivers and end-of-life circumstances. As the weather gets warmer, public health officials continue to recommend that visits take place outdoors as much as possible, as the risk of COVID-19 transmission is significantly less than in an indoor setting.

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region. 

Updated enforcement statistics are posted online weekly. For more information, go to Cross-Departmental Reports at https://manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/departments/index.html.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.   

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) issues this statement in response to, “Budget 2021: Protecting Manitobans, Advancing Manitoba,” (Budget 2021) presented and tabled yesterday in the Legislative Assembly by Finance Minister, the Honourable Minister Scott Fielding.   

The Pas and District Chamber of Commerce, has been working on a video that will help to attract tourists.

The video features highlights of tourism actives, including ice fishing, traditional drumming, and bannock making.

The video and other promotional material is also expected to be sent to travel agencies and the project is currently in post production.

Public health officials advise that one additional death in a person with COVID-19 is being reported today:

• a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 4.8 per cent provincially and 4.4 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 109 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, two cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases today to 107 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 34,656. 

Public health officials are announcing that 22 new screened or sequenced cases of the B.1.1.7 variants of concern have been detected. Of these, 21 are from the Winnipeg health region and one is from the Prairie Mountain Health region. Three new screened or sequenced uncategorized cases have been detected. One is from the Interlake–Eastern Health Region and two are from the Winnipeg health region.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• three cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 49 cases in the Northern health region;  
• four cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• two cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 51 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:
• 1,294 active cases and 32,419 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; 
• 61 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 79 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 140 hospitalizations; 
• 14 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 18 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 32 ICU patients; 
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 943; and
• the total number of screened or sequenced cases related to variants of concern for the following:
f{ B.1.1.7 is 261;
f{ B.1.351 is 20;
f{ cases that have not been categorized is 18; and
f{ the total number of variant of concern cases is 299.

Laboratory testing numbers show 2,073 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 594,609. 

An outbreak has been declared at Health Sciences Centre unit GD4. The facility has been moved to the Critical (Red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

The outbreak is over at Extendicare/Oakview Place in Winnipeg.

Additional data related to COVID-19, including data on outbreaks as well as some downloadable and historic data, can be found at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

Opaskwayak Cree Nation Fire Crews responded to a report of a house fire in the community on Monday morning.

Crews responded to the scene around 9 o clock and the fire started from the outside of the house on Riverside Drive.

Only the roof of the house was a complete loss and the rest of the building was saved.

It is believed that the fire was started by a cigarette and Fire Chief Gordon Lathlin wants to remind everyone to make sure that they butt out their cigarettes before they dispose of them.

Public health officials advise that two additional deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Grace Hospital unit 3 South; and
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 5.3 per cent provincially and 4.3 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 62 new cases of the virus have been identified. This brings the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 34,549.

Public health officials are announcing that five new screened or sequenced cases of the B.1.1.7 variants of concern have been detected, all from the Winnipeg health region.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• one case in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 23 cases in the Northern health region;  
• four cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• one case in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 33 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:
• 1,255 active cases and 32,352 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; 
• 66 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 74 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 140 hospitalizations; 
• 14 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 16 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 30 ICU patients; 
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 942; and
• the total number of screened or sequenced cases related to variants of concern for the following:
? B.1.1.7 is 240;
? B.1.351 is 20;
? cases that have not been categorized is 15; and
? the total number of variant of concern cases is 275.

Laboratory testing numbers show 1,386 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 592,384. 

An outbreak has been declared at St. Boniface Hospital unit B5. The facility has been moved to the Critical (Red) level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

Additional data related to COVID-19, including data on outbreaks as well as some downloadable and historic data, can be found at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.  

Public health officials advise that two additional deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:

• a female in her 40s from the Northern health region; and
• a female in her 40s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region.  

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 3.9 per cent provincially and 3.6 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 59 new cases of the virus have been identified. However, seven cases have been removed due to a data correction. This brings the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 34,174.

Public health officials are announcing that three new screened or sequenced cases of variants of concerns have been detected and they are all from the Winnipeg health region.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
• one case in the Interlake–Eastern health region; 
• 16 cases in the Northern health region;  
• seven cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  
• three cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and  
• 32 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The data also shows:
• 1,179 active cases and 32,058 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; 
• 65 people in hospital with active COVID-19 as well as 83 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 148 hospitalizations; 
• 12 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 18 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 30 ICU patients; 
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 937; and
• the total number of screened or sequenced cases related to variants of concern for the following:
   - B.1.1.7 is 235;
   - B.1.351 is 20;
   - cases that have not been categorized is 15; and
   - the total number of variant of concern cases is 270.

Laboratory testing numbers show 1,561 tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 584,267.  

Additional data related to COVID-19, including data on outbreaks as well as some downloadable and historic data, can be found at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

The outbreak at St. Amant Health and Transition Services has been declared over. 

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including information the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit:www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. 

The Manitoba government is moving forward with commitments to reduce taxes and make life more affordable for Manitobans as part of Budget 2021, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.

“Given the challenges created by the pandemic, Manitobans need more tax relief sooner rather than later, and Budget 2021 will continue to protect your hard-earned incomes to help you care for your families and invest in your communities,” said Pallister. “We are delivering our commitments of the $2,020 Tax Rollback Guarantee one year ahead of schedule and our government remains committed to making life more affordable, more secure and more prosperous for all Manitobans.”

Budget 2021 will continue to implement the $2,020 Tax Rollback Guarantee, introduced in 2019 to save the average Manitoba taxpayer $2,020 over four years through several measures:
• reducing the provincial sales tax (PST) to seven per cent from eight;
• indexing the Basic Personal Amount and Personal Income Tax brackets;
• removing the PST on property insurance;
• removing the PST on personal income tax preparation;
• eliminating probate fees;
• removing the PST on the preparation of wills;
• reducing vehicle registration fees by 30 per cent;
• removing the PST on personal care services, such as haircuts and salon services; and
• reducing education property taxes.

The province has previously implemented most of these commitments and will introduce the final two measures as part of Budget 2021 to remove the PST on personal services later this year and begin to phase out the education property tax.

The October 2020 speech from the throne renewed the promise to eliminate the education property tax over several years, beginning in 2021, which will eventually remove both the Provincial Education Support Levy and the School Division Special Levy from annual property tax bills. 

Today, the premier confirmed Manitoba ratepayers will begin to receive rebate cheques this year.

“Our government is keeping our promise to relieve property owners of this burden and leave more money on the kitchen tables of Manitobans, where it’s needed most,” said Pallister. “Manitoba is the only Canadian jurisdiction that determines school taxes at the local level, which creates an uneven playing field across the province. As we phase out the education property tax, we will ensure a more equitable system is in place to fund Manitoba’s education system and support students.”

As previously announced, school divisions will freeze their education property taxes this year and the province will provide a Property Tax Offset Grant equivalent to a two per cent property tax increase or $22.8 million in 2021 to maintain education funding levels. In addition, Budget 2021 will support the Better Education Starts Today strategy with an Education Funding Guarantee of no less than $1.6 billion of additional investment in education over four years.

The education property tax reduction will benefit approximately 658,000 residential, farm, commercial and other properties in Manitoba. The province will provide more information on the education property tax rebate as part of Budget 2021 and with municipal property tax bills.

Pallister said the province will continue to review provincial taxation measures to ensure individual Manitobans and businesses can keep more of their hard-earned dollars, and noted the government has already returned more than $700 million in tax and COVID-19 relief to Manitobans since 2016.

The Manitoba First Nation Police Service is having their Grand Opening ceremony on Opaskwayak Cree Nation starting this morning.

The event will begin with a pipe ceremony at 10AM and 235 Waller Road and COVID 19 measures will be followed.

There will also be a drive thru feast at noon at the Jake Constant Memorial Bus Garage.

The grand opening will also be live streamed for those that can’t attend in person.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and the Northern Health Region announced their joint commitment to eliminate anti-Indigenous racism in health care.

A statement from MKO explains Grand Chief Garrison Settee and NRHA CEO Helga Bryant met last week to formalize their pledge, and both organizations are currently working on a declaration that would outline their goals and objectives.

Settee says MKO will provide advice, guidance, and support to the NRHA regarding this issue.

He adds that the partnership will also inform the organization’s larger advocacy role to improve and transform health service programs for Northern First Nations citizens within the broader overall provincial and federal health systems.