COVID-19

The provincial government reported there were 109 people in hospital in Saskatchewan receiving treatment for COVID-19. The number is a sharp drop from where it was October when 2,377 people were in hospital receiving treatment. It is also the fewest people in the hospital receiving treatment for COVID-19 since October of 2020. 

Northwestern Ontario residents over the age of 50 are now able to get their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine – if it's been over 24 weeks, or 168 days, since their second dose.

“There is very little risk from getting the third dose, and there is evidence of increased protection from a booster dose,” explains Medical Officer of Health with the Northwestern Health Unit, Dr. Kit Young Hoon, during her weekly conference with regional media members.

Although fewer Albertans are getting vaccinated against influenza during the current flu season than got the jab last year, over one million people have now rolled up their sleeves to make sure they're protected against the seasonal flu.  

The latest numbers from Alberta Health Services indicate that 1,016,839 Albertans, 23 percent of the population, have gotten the shot this year.  During the entire 2021-2021 flu season 1,619,310 received the vaccine and not one case of flu was found in the province.

Residents across Northwestern Ontario are preparing to host family, and friends and gather as Christmas is only two weeks away.

As people gear up to travel or welcome many people into their homes for the holiday season Kenora-Rainy MPP, Greg Rickford wanted to take the time to make sure people are safe this Christmas as COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the region.

If you want to sit on a community board in Wheatland County, you might need to get ready to roll up your sleeves and get a jab.

There was a discussion at the last meeting of the county council about the possible requirements of having the COVID-19 vaccine for members of community boards. There was an illusion to pre-war German practices of discrimination against Jewish minorities brought up regarding the practice of forcing people to show their identification.

Councillor Scott Klassen noted that the practice could be seen as a form of discrimination or segregation.

The COVID-19 numbers update for Friday, December 10 is as follows:

Premier Kenney said at a conference in Calgary on Friday afternoon that public health measures could be adjusted for the holiday season. 

The announcement is expected to be made on Tuesday, December 14, the same day that the current state of emergency measures are set to expire. 

Kenney said, "December 14th, the state of public health emergency will lapse, that is why we think the right time for us to potentially move forward with some modest, common sense, relaxation of measures for Christmas holidays."

Public Health is strongly urging Manitobans to get a third COVID-19 vaccine before the holidays, shortening their recommended wait time for some Manitobans.

Third doses

The province is asking people to get their third COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. 

"Manitobans are strongly urged to receive their third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine before attending gatherings and holiday celebrations," a Friday statement from Public Health says.

The Ontario government is taking further action by implementing further measures to protect Ontarians from spiking COVID-19 cases numbers and the newly discovered Omicron variant. 

Public health is reporting that no new confirmed cases of the B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant have been detected in Manitoba. The total number of omicron cases in Manitoba is five.

The new variants spread the same way as the original COVID-19 virus. Manitobans should continue following public health orders, limit contact with others and focus on the fundamentals to limit the spread of COVID-19 (including variants) and protect yourself and those around you. Be sure to: