COVID-19

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

The three cases are in the District of Rainy River.

There are currently seven active cases in the region. Five cases in the District of Rainy River and one case in each of the Kenora and Dryden/Red Lake regions.

One person is currently in hospital with COVID-19 in the region. No further information has been provided.

Many local business owners are facing criticism and backlash after implementing a proof of vaccination policy at their establishment.

It's been one week since the provincial restrictions exemption program went into effect in Alberta, allowing participating businesses to operate without limitations.

Owner of Mehtab East Indian Cuisine, Jag Thind says that he's feeling like he's hit rock bottom after an extremely tough and draining week. He says that while it may seem like business owners have a choice in the matter -- simply put, they don't.

Leadership with the Northwestern Health Unit is reporting that since August 1, those without COVID-19 vaccinations have been six times more likely to contract the illness, compared to those who are fully vaccinated in northwestern Ontario.

Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance is urging all community members in his area to get vaccinated as soon as possible, as the Sioux Lookout area is reporting lower than hoped for vaccination coverage rates.

“Here in Sioux Lookout, about 75 per cent of people have already been vaccinated [with their first dose]. We’ve done so because the vaccine protects us from getting and spreading COVID-19, including the Delta variant.”

The U18 AAA Kenora Thistles are set to take the ice for their home opener tonight against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

There has been a lot of buzz in the dressing room and amongst the players for tonight’s match-up.

“I think everybody’s really fired up here. This year I’m really expecting these kids to excel cause I think we have a really solid team here,” said Thistles Head Coach Scott Parsons.

Going into this weekend’s duo of games against the Wheat Kings Parsons is looking for the players to compete.

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is calling out those that are faking vaccination cards.

Military support is being deployed to help Alberta’s overwhelmed ICUs.

The federal government confirms teams are mobilizing today with Canadian Armed forces sending up to eight ICU nurses set to arrive tomorrow (Saturday, September 25).

Military planes and crews will begin moving hospital patients to other provinces.

The number of COVID-19 tests in Manitoba has more than doubled at provincial sites in less than two weeks.

Despite spikes in testing requests, Manitoba's five-day test positivity is lowering to two per cent. There were 3,553 COVID-19 tests completed on Thursday. Less than two weeks ago, on September 12, the total number of daily tests was more than half that at 1,739.

The province recorded another 1,660 new COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour period with a positivity rate of 9.4 per cent.

There are currently 1,058 people in hospital with COVID and 226 of those are in ICU.

Dr. Yiu reported that “Over the past five days, the average number of COVID ICU admissions have been more than 23 per day. It is tragic that we are only able to keep pace with these sorts of numbers because in part some of our ICU patients have passed away and this reality has a deep and lasting impact on our ICU teams.”

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated provincial government employees with front-facing jobs will need to undergo regular rapid COVID-19 testing in three week's time. 

The Government of Manitoba's public service members who have direct contact with the public and are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be subject to regular COVID-19 testing, starting October 18 to be in the workplace. Previously that date was October 31 but on Friday it is being moved up.