COVID-19

After a very hot end to the first half of the season, the Dryden GM Ice Dogs (16-9-1-0) are now in limbo as the Superior International Junior Hockey League has paused the season.

The pause comes after additional public health measures by the province came into effect that saw the closure of recreational facilities, which includes hockey rinks.

Players have been advised that they will remain at home until the end of January, and won't return until the league is clear on a return to play date.

The City of Kenora buildings and facilities will be closed to at least January 26, 2022, after the latest COVID-19 restrictions came into effect Wednesday (January 5, 2022). 

The city stated the Transfer Station will remain open to the public. Masks are mandatory while using the recycle area and disposing of waste. Please practice safe social distancing. Debit or credit card transactions are preferred; however, cash will be accepted too.

Public health officials advise 10 new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:

Manitoba's Deputy Chief Public Health Officer says to expect higher case rates as the province catches up on testing.

As of Wednesday morning, there are 1,790 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases to 89,050. Dr. Jazz Atwal, Manitoba's Deputy Chief Public Health Officer says this is likely an understatement, as there is a 6,800 test backlog. As the province catches up, he says to expect higher case numbers.

"Because of the sheer number of cases, this is more about the impact on the acute care system," Atwal says in the Wednesday press conference.

A state of emergency for the Winnipeg Police Service has been issued by the police chief as COVID-19 hits the service hard.

Winnipeg Police Service Chief Danny Smyth is issuing a state of emergency as they have 90 active COVID-19 cases. He says 170 personnel are on COVID-19-related leave

“We have some real challenges ahead. The current COVID-19 situation has significantly impacted our staffing resources," Smyth says in a statement.

As of January 3, 2022 the City of Grande Prairie has 112 active cases of COVID-19, and the County of Grande Prairie has 87 cases.

Cases of COVID-19 across the rest of the province sit at 34,276 active cases. 

Hospitalizations are currently at 436, and a total of 61 Albertans are in intensive care receiving treatment. 

COVID-19 has entered into a Kenora long-term care home and caused an outbreak within the facility.

Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care home confirmed the COVID-19 outbreak on December 30, 2021, with the consultation of the Northwestern Health Unit.

The care home said residents and their families were notified immediately after the outbreak was declared.

Starting today, the public health measures that were laid out by the government on Monday (Jan 3, 2022) come into effect and will last for at least 21 days.

The new measures will see a reduction of indoor and outdoor gathering limits, the closure of indoor dining, recreational facilities, and many more.

Along with the new measures, parents and guardians will have to adjust their schedules and daycare plans as all publicly funded and private schools will move to remote learning starting Wednesday until at least January 17.

Advocates for early child care education are asking for kindness and understanding as skyrocketing cases cause staff shortages.

The month of December was serious effects on child care facilities according to the executive director of the Manitoba Child Care Association, Jodie Kehl.

"If we actually knew the raw data of how many are affected, I think that the numbers would be astronomical to be perfectly honest," Kehl says. "It is really important that our early childhood educators are being supported during this time," Kehl says.

Alberta has topped the 30,000 mark for active COVID cases.

But Premier Jason Kenney says with a positivity rate of 30 per cent, the government's well aware there are even more cases out there.

He's calling on the federal government for help.

"I'm calling on the government of Canada to help up out with that by taking immediate action to authorize the use of Pfizer's COVID anti-viral pill Paxlavid that was recently approved for use in both Europe and the United States and other jurisdictions," Kenney said.