All presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 have been lab confirmed for a total of seven lab-confirmed cases. Public health officials are strongly advising all Manitobans, including health-care providers, to cancel or postpone any non-essential international travel.  In addition, public health officials are recommending all international travellers self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after returning to Canada. Work is underway to finalize guidelines for health-care workers and critical infrastructure workers who return from international travel to address any impacts on essential services.  All physicians, health-care providers and staff returning from international travel MUST self-identify to their organization/site’s occupational health services. Given the evolving COVID-19 situation, the health system is now implementing elevated precautions to protect patients, as many have underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk of becoming severely ill due to COVID-19.  Certain individuals should NOT visit acute care or long-term care facilities.  This includes those who have: •    returned from international travel in the last 14 days; •    been instructed to self-isolate for 14 days; or •    have cold or flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, weakness or headache. Effective immediately, only one visitor per patient at a time is allowed in acute care facilities, such as hospitals, across Manitoba.  This does not apply to parents of children in hospital.  Also, exceptions will be made at a manager’s discretion for special circumstances, such as visitors who require an escort or those going to see a patient nearing the end of their life. In addition, Manitoba and Doctors Manitoba have agreed on new payment options to offer virtual visit and virtual care psychotherapy options to supplement traditional models of care including video-conferencing options.  Physicians will work with their patients to use these options. Transportation industry partners needs to ensure all companies are made aware of important considerations with respect to essential cross-border crossings.  At this time, public health officials are not mandating drivers to self-isolate after crossing the border to ensure essential services continue. However, all companies should make sure drivers are not showing respiratory symptoms before crossing the border and take the necessary measures if they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms.  This includes calling Health-Links Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 to speak to a health practitioner and requesting the affected driver to self-isolate until they are assessed. Manitoba’s adult and youth correctional facilities continue to allow visitors, with restrictions in place to protect the health and safety of people in custody as well as staff.  Visits from family members will continue to be allowed but with no contact.  Visits with legal counsel will continue with no changes.  All centres have suspended all visits from volunteers and community agencies until further notice. There have been reports of multiple phishing scams related to COVID-19.  Many are asking people for credit card information to provide medication following a positive test results.  This is not a call that Manitobans would receive from public health officials.  Manitobans are advised to not provide any financial data, hang up on the call and to report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at (toll-free) 1-888-495-8501. For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19. (Province of MB News Release)

ACC Culinary Arts alumni Arin Hiebert is currently competing on Food Network's Spring Baking Championship, Season 6. Hiebert is squaring off against 11 other competitors for an opportunity to win the $25,000 prize and the title of Spring Baking Champion. He graduated from ACC's Culinary Arts program in 2012 and continued his education at The French Pastry School and the Chocolate Academy of Chicago. Currently Arin is a Pastry Chef de Partie at the Fairmont Palliser hotel in Calgary. The show airs weekly at 9 pm PT/ET on the Food Network. You can follow his Twitter account here.

Source:Brandon Police Service Media Release n March 14th at approximately 0330, police were notified of a motor vehicle accident along Highway #1, in the eastbound lanes between 1st St and 18th St. A pickup truck had driven into a moving semi truck and trailer from behind, while the semi was still moving. The driver of the pickup truck was transported to BRHC with serious injuries. The MVA is still under investigation and alcohol is suspected as a cause. The highway was closed from 3:45 – 8:00am.

Update #2 This afternoon, Manitoba Education announced that all schools in Manitoba will be closed starting March 23 to April 10, 2020. This is a proactive measure to lessen the spread of COVID-19, which is still considered low risk. For the week of March 16 to 20, 2020, schools will be open, however, if the parent chooses to self-isolate or increase the degree of social distancing for their child, Brandon School Division will provide programming and support. There will be no classes during Spring Break, March 30 to April 3, 2020. During the weeks of March 23 to 27 and April 6 to 9, students will not be attending school. Plans are currently being created and will be communicated to parents next week. We understand that parents will have questions. Brandon School Division is committed to working with parents to provide answers and to address any challenges that may arise in the upcoming week. Brandon School Division will be continually monitoring this highly fluid situation and will be communicating with health authorities and the provincial government. Brandon School Division will provide regular updates through the website/social media. Update #1 Brandon School Division has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation and following the expert advice of health authorities. The Public Health of Canada has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for the general population in Canada. While our region has not experienced the same level of risk as other jurisdictions, we started contingency plans in February as a proactive step. As a result of this planning, a number of preventative measures have been implemented to assist in managing the level of risk.  Custodial training in best practices for disinfection of surfaces  Increased frequency of disinfection of high touch surfaces  Implementation of disinfecting procedures on buses twice per day  Promotion of handwashing  Increased signage for effective hand washing procedures  Cancellation of international trips for students  Cancellation of out of country travel for staff professional development  Regular monitoring/consulting with Public Health On March 12, 2020, Manitobans were recommended to use Social Distancing Strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19. 3While Brandon School Division is not aware of any confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 or confirmed contacts in the region, we believe we can play a major role in limiting the spread of COVID-19. Brandon School Division is now implementing the additional preventative measures.  Creation of a link on the Brandon School Division website for bulletins/updates to keep parents, students and staff informed  Social media notifications when an update is posted on the website  Cancellation of staff attendance at conferences  Cancellation of out-of-province and overnight student trips  Review upcoming off-site day trips regarding cancellation  Cancellation of school assemblies and public events  Restriction of school visitors  Increase the frequency of high touch surfaces disinfection  Provide further custodial training to reflect the increased cleaning expectations  Provide students and staff with hygiene training: hand wash training with soap and water for at least 15 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue; and appropriate disposal of tissue  Instruct staff and students to stay at home when ill  Instruct staff and students who are returning from traveling out of province to follow the health guidelines for self isolation and self monitoring  Schools offer support to parents for distance learning opportunities if the parent decides to self isolate or increase the degree of social distancing for their child  Provide resources to school staff and parents to assist in working with students that are experiencing anxiety over COVID-19 Brandon School Division will be continually monitoring this highly fluid situation and will be communicating with health authorities. Brandon School Division will provide regular updates through the website/social media.

From a release today from the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. "The health and safety of our community is of utmost importance. Due to current health concerns the Provincial Exhibition Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. These decisions are not made lightly; however, we feel it is in the best interests of all. We will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and will update the public of future of events."