COVID-19

The provincial government reported 470 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, and five more deaths linked to the virus. This brought the total number of deaths to 700 since the start of the pandemic. 

Hospitalizations were up by 6, to 313, which is a new record in Saskatchewan. Of those who are hospitalized, 68 are in intensive care.  

The day after the province accepted help to combat the COVID-19 4th wave, another 1,630 new cases have been reported.

As of October 1, there are 20,215 active cases in Alberta with over 70 per cent of the cases in unvaccinated people.

Hospitalizations dropped by 17 to a total of 1,066 and over 70 per cent of patients are unvaccinated.

ICU admissions remained unchanged at 263 with 90 per cent of patients being unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

Sadly, there were another 14 deaths reported with the total in the province at 2,731.

Winnipeggers will be showing off their dedication to outdoor dining this winter.

Last winter, Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman announced they would be allowing temporary patios to open in the winter but that did not pan out as case numbers rose. This year, he's hoping to finally see that become a reality.

Premier Kelvin Goertzen announced a significant Bethesda Regional Health Centre expansion and renovation today that will include a renal dialysis unit.

According to Goertzen, the additional acute care in-patient beds and expanded medical capacity with a new renal dialysis unit are part of a significant expansion and renovation that will reflect Bethesda Regional Health Centre’s importance as a district hub in Manitoba’s healthcare system and provide care that is closer to home for many residents in southern Manitoba.

More than one million COVID-19 tests have been completed in Manitoba since the start of the pandemic.

The Province of Manitoba is sharing a recap of COVID-19 cases since Tuesday, saying there have been 349 new cases.

Since Tuesday there have been:

The province is anticipating its hospital capacity to be tightly stretched as they tighten the health orders in Manitoba's fourth COVID-19 wave.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin, Chief Nursing Officer Lanette Siragusa, and Shared Health's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Perry Gray unanimously agree in a closed Friday morning press conference that Manitoba's hospitals are being seriously impacted by rising COVID-19 cases.

Indoor faith-based gatherings capacity limits will vary greatly depending on if everyone on the property is fully vaccinated or not.

Starting on Tuesday, Manitoban places of worship will see a decrease in indoor capacity. If gatherings include people who are unvaccinated but eligible, the new capacity rate will be 25 people or 33 per cent, whichever is greater. Children younger than 12 are excluded as they are not eligible for the vaccine. 

The Northwestern Health Unit has reported three new cases of COVID-19 in the region.

There is one new case in each of the Kenora, Rainy River, and Sioux Lookout regions.

This brings the active case count across the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area to seven.

Provincewide, 1,315 cases of COVID-19 were reported today. 647 of those cases were discovered on Thursday and 668 were discovered today.

The province is taking extra steps to ease pressure on hospitals.

Premier Jason Kenney, along with health minister Jason Copping, Alberta Health Services CEO Dr. Verna Yiu and public service commissioner Tim Grant provided Thursday’s (Sept.30) COVID-19 update and the steps the province was taking to reduce the pressure on hospitals and slow the spread of the virus. 

Due to personal reasons, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, was not in attendance. 

Alberta now has 20,255 active cases and Premier Kenney announce that help will be accepted during the 4th wave crisis.

In an update today, (Thursday) Kenney said eight to ten ICU-trained staff members from the Canadian Armed Forces will be deployed to Edmonton.

The Red Cross will be sending up to 20 medical staff to the Red Deer Regional Hospital.

Newfoundland and Labrador will be sending six ICU-trained staff to Fort McMurray.