COVID-19

Ontario's Science Table released COVID-19 modelling last week that indicated Ontario could see over 9,000 new cases a day, in October, if Ontarians increase their contacts throughout the fall.

The same modelling suggests that case counts could remain under 1,000 new cases a day if Ontarians limit their contacts to 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and over 85 per cent of the eligible population becomes fully vaccinated.

The Kenora Catholic District School Board has received notification of a positive COVID-19 case at Pope John Paul II School and are working closely with the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) on next steps. The positive case is being followed up by the Northwestern Health Unit and all contacts of the case will be called and given instructions.

We are working with the NWHU to make sure all potential risks are minimized. Due to our COVID-19 prevention strategies in place, those staff and students not contacted by the school can continue to attend school as usual.

Following the announcement today that the province is experiencing a "Crisis of the Unvaccinated", another 1,401 new cases have been reported in a 24 hour period.

Hospitalizations have increased again, by 28 for a total of 515 while ICU admissions rose by another four for a total of 118. 

Of the 515 people in hospital, 400 or 77.67 per cent of the patients are unvaccinated while 19 are partially vaccinated and 96 are fully vaccinated.

Sadly, another two deaths have been added for a total of 2,390.

There were 1,339 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Alberta as of September 1, 2021.

Hospitalizations rose by 22 for a total of 487 while ICU admissions increased by seven for a total of 114.

Of the 487 in hospital, 385 or 79.06 per cent are not immunized, 16 are partially vaccinated, and 86 are fully immunized.

Five more deaths have also been reported for a total of 2,388.

There are now 12,868 active cases in the province with a positivity rate of over 10 per cent.

Premier Jason Kenney announced a new vaccine incentive program on Friday (Sept.3).

As part of new COVID-19 measures, including mandatory masks and liquor sales ending at 10 p.m., Kenney also pitched his newest idea, a $100 gift card for a shot. 

A one-time incentive of the gift card is now available for all Albertans age 18 or older who receive a first or second dose of the vaccine between September 3 and October 14.

The provincial government said in a release "this incentive is intended to encourage unvaccinated Albertans to get protected as soon as possible."

All of Alberta's COVID-19 spokespeople appeared back in public today (September 3) to say that temporary measures would be put into place to reduce transmission and preventing the health care system from being overwhelmed because of increasing COVID-19 transmission and rising hospital admissions, overwhelmingly among unvaccinated Albertans. 

Premier Jason Kenney, Health Minister Tyler Shandro and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw all made their first appearance in several weeks.

As the numbers continue to rise, a "Crisis of Unvaccinated" is overtaking the province. 

Officials held a meeting this afternoon (Friday September 3) to announce new health measures to once again bend the curve. Officials are also pleading with Albertans who are not vaccinated to step up and do their part. 

 The rise of hospitalizations is reaching a critical point in the province. 

There are less than one dozen people in intensive care due to COVID-19.

Manitoba's five-day test positivity rate is 2.4 per cent, down 0.5 per cent in one day.

After an overwhelming summer, intensive care in Manitoba is seeing a lowered number of patients. There are 10 ICU patients, with two of those having active COVID cases, half as many people in intensive care as there were one month ago.

In total, there are 66 people in Manitoba's hospitals due to the virus, with 23 of those people having active COVID cases.

The Northwestern Health Unit has confirmed one new positive COVID-19 test result in the region.

The newly discovered case was found in the Kenora Health Region.

Follow up with the person involved and their contacts has started according to protocol. Anyone who is identified as a contact for this case will be contacted directly.

Currently, there are five active cases in the NWHU catchment area. Two active cases each in the Kenora and Rainy River Health Region's, and one active case in the Sioux Lookout Health Region.

A farm just outside of Portage la Prairie is showing people what it means to be good neighbours for the fifth year in a row.

Five years ago, Our Farm Greenhouses began hosting an appreciation event for its community and today, Family Day has massively grown.