The Manitoba government is updating public health orders to reduce the gatherings sizes and put limitations on the sale of liquor to help curb community transmission and protect the capacity of the health-care system as the omicron variant continues to circulate in Manitoba, Premier Heather Stefanson and Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, announced today. “Over the last week, case numbers have increased sharply, and we must again take steps to reduce the spread of the virus to help protect Manitoba’s health-care system,” said Stefanson. “As we approach the new year – a time that is usually filled with celebration – we are urging Manitobans to limit your close contacts at this crucial time in our fight against COVID-19. We all have a role to play, and we encourage everyone get fully vaccinated, including a third dose when eligible, follow the public health orders and focus on the fundamentals.” The additional restrictions mean gatherings must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space, or 250 people, whichever is less. This includes: •    indoor and outdoor public gatherings; •    restaurants, licensed premises, food courts and socials; •    movie theatre and concert halls; •    performing arts venues and outdoor ticketed performing arts events; •    museums and art galleries; •    outdoor and indoor sporting and recreational facilities including dance schools and martial arts studios; •    gyms, fitness centres and yoga studios; •    indoor and outdoor ticketed sporting events; •    indoor recreational businesses; •    seasonal facilities and events; •    religious services and Indigenous cultural events; and •    bingos, casinos and businesses with VLTs. The changes will affect capacity limits at these locations including gatherings where all attendees are fully vaccinated, have a medical reason not to receive a vaccine or people under 12 years of age. In addition, liquor sales in restaurants and licensed premises must end at 10 p.m. daily. The changes will come into effect on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 12:01 a.m. and will expire on Jan. 11, 2022. “We know these changes will affect the plans of many people, but we must put them in place now to reduce the possible spread of the virus over the rest of the holiday season,” said Roussin. “Thousands of Manitobans have been vaccinated and continue follow the public health orders and we thank you for that, but these changes are necessary right now to reduce the risk of severe illness and to support our health-care system.” The updated orders keep the Pandemic Response System at restricted (Orange) with schools at caution (Yellow). All other public health orders remain unchanged. For more information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit https://gov.mb.ca/covid19. (Province of MB News Release)

To manage current and growing demand for COVID-19 testing the Manitoba government is making take-home, self-administered rapid tests available at provincial testing sites to Manitobans as well as other vulnerable Manitobans, Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon announced today. “The centralized use of rapid test kits is necessary to manage the supply we have in stock,” said Gordon. “Making take-home, self-administered rapid tests available to symptomatic Manitobans who seek a COVID-19 test will help manage the potential demand of tests when the omicron variant of concern becomes more prominent.” When an individual visits a testing site, the type of test they receive will now be based on their vaccination status. if they are symptomatic and vaccinated, they will receive a take-home, self-administered rapid test; additionally, a random number of fully vaccinated people will be selected for a PCR test as a control measure. if they are symptomatic and unvaccinated, they will receive a PCR test; and if they are a symptomatic, high-risk and unvaccinated, they may receive a PCR test and a take-home, self-administered rapid test and may be referred for monoclonal antibody treatment. If the rapid test comes back positive, the individual will be advised to return for a PCR test to confirm the result, which is when the positive test result would be reported publicly. For those who test positive on follow-up PCR test, the individual will be contacted by a public health official who will provide information about isolation and also help determine if the individual meets the criterial for monoclonal antibodies treatment. While not a substitute for vaccination, monoclonal antibody treatment can help reduce the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 in those that are high risk for severe illness. The treatment gives the body temporary antibodies to help the immune system fight the infection. Early testing is important, as the treatment is only effective in the early phase of infection. To learn more, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/treatment/index.html. The minister noted the rapid testing changes will be introduced incrementally at testing locations throughout the province. Current locations implementing the rapid testing changes include: drive-thru testing site, 1066 Nairn Ave., Winnipeg drive-thru testing site at MPI, 125 King Edward St., Winnipeg walk-in testing site, 1 Research Rd., Winnipeg testing site, 100 Easton Dr., Selkirk Gordon also noted that to further help prioritize testing, Manitobans who are seeking a COVID-19 test for out-of-province travel purposes should not attend provincial testing sites. Rather, they should seek out a private provider. In addition to making rapid test kits available at provincial testing sites, test kits will be provided at 20 Manitoba Families social services offices across the province. More than 15,000 test kits with three tests each will be distributed to regular clients starting later this week. An additional 1,764 kits will be provided directly to Community Living Disability Services clients in living independently with supports. Nearly 400 kits with three tests each will be provided per month to staff at child and family service agencies for use when visiting vulnerable children and clients. Manitoba continues to distribute rapid testing kits and has increased the availability and access to rapid tests for employers through an agreement with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. At this time, more than 500,000 rapid tests are being provided to workplaces each month. Rapid antigen tests are also being distributed to families with students in kindergarten to Grade 6 in provincial schools, as well as schools in First Nations communities. (Province of MB News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On December 25, at approx. 8:45 pm, police received a report of a stabbing on Willowdale Cr. The victim, a 39 year old male from Brandon, had suffered a single stab wound to his lower abdomen. He was transported to BRHC and was treated there. The victim and another person were outside having a smoke when a male and female came walking up and asked them for a smoke. The male and female were invited inside the residence. The suspect and the victim were in the kitchen when the suspect demand the victim give him everything. When the victim refused, he was stabbed. A struggle ensued when the witness grabbed a chair to get in between the victim and the suspect. The female attacked the witness while he was defending the stabbing victim. The suspects then left, stealing a pink Samsung cell phone and battery charging case. Police attended and the Police Service Dog(PSDU) was called out to track the suspects. The PSDU tracked the female suspect to a business on Brandon Ave. She was arrested and the stolen cell phone was found on her. The 21 year old female was lodged to appear in the morning on charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of a Weapon, Robbery with Violence, Aggravated Assault with a Weapon. The male suspect was identified by the victims. Attempts were made to locate him but were not successful. A warrant will be requested for the 25 year old male suspect, on charges of Robbery with Violence, Aggravated Assault with a Weapon, Fail to Comply with a Release Order.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On December 22, 2021, police responded to a report of an assault at an apartment building shortly after 10:00 am.  Investigation revealed that a maintenance employee working at the building was assaulted by two individuals following a confrontation.  The suspects were not tenants of the building.  One of the suspects shoved the employee while the other used a frozen pop bottle to strike them. The suspects left the building on foot, but were located and arrested following a track with police K-9.  The victim did not require medical attention. The 38-year-old male suspect was later released to appear in court on February 17, 2022 on a charge of Assault.  The 23-year-old female suspect was later released to appear in court on February 17, 2022 on a charge of Assault with a Weapon.

Manitoba will delay the return to school for students following the winter break to Jan. 10, 2022, to give public health officials additional time to assess the risk of the omicron variant in Manitoba and what changes might be needed on the return to school in early January, Education Minister Cliff Cullen announced today. “As we begin the holiday break across Manitoba schools, the Manitoba government would like to thank students, teachers, school staff, school leaders, school divisions, parents and caregivers for ensuring schools have been safe and open for in-class learning since September,” said Cullen. “But right now, things are changing rapidly and public health has recommended a slight delay to the return to school. This will give them more time to better assess the risk and look at options for the new year.” Most students were scheduled to return to school on Jan. 6. The change means school staff will return on Jan. 6 for professional learning and to prepare for the continuation of learning, and students will return on Jan. 10. Many childcare centres will remain open for children under the age of 12 to ensure families can continue to access needed childcare services. The minister noted the delayed return to school would also provide more time for the distribution of rapid tests to schools provincewide. In addition to vaccination, staying home when one is sick, using masks and reducing contacts, the minister noted rapid tests are another tool that can be used to help screen for cases and provide peace of mind to parents and caregivers. “We appreciate your understanding and will share any additional information about the return to school as we learn more about the variant and what this means for schools,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer. “We have recommended this delay to a return to school in addition to the restrictions under the public health orders and I want to remind Manitobans of the importance of keeping gathering sizes small to allow a safer return to school in the new year.” Roussin noted those eligible to receive a booster vaccine for COVID-19 are encouraged to make appointments or visit a walk-in clinic during the break to better protect themselves and others. “Again, we extend our thanks to everyone for their efforts over the last several months,” said Cullen. “I encourage everyone to do their part to keep schools safe as students head back to class in January by getting vaccinated, minimizing contacts over the holiday break, monitoring for symptoms and, of course, getting tested and staying home when sick.” Manitobans showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 should use the online COVID-19 screening tool at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/ and visit a provincial testing site. For a list of provincial testing locations, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/locations.html#map.