Manitoba Health and Shared Health will continue to use a clinically informed approach during the respiratory virus season to protect the province’s most vulnerable populations, including those who may not be able to protect themselves from respiratory viruses while receiving care or support in a communal residence or health-care facility. Effective Wednesday, Oct. 18, health-care staff working in Manitoba hospitals, personal care homes and other health-care facilities will be required to wear a medical mask during direct interactions with patients, residents and clients. Staff providing care services operated by regional health authorities, including services in the community such as home care, will also be required to wear masks when providing care. This approach will help reduce the risk of spreading a respiratory virus from a health-care worker to a vulnerable patient, resident or client, particularly those who are more at risk of severe illness. Masks will continue to be optional but recommended for visitors to health-care sites. They will be available at sites for people who wish to wear one. However, masks may continue to be required for visitors and other staff in locations where care is provided to highly immunocompromised people, such as cancer units or within the transplant program. Signage will clearly indicate these requirements. In an outbreak, health-care workers and designated caregivers will be required to follow existing protocols and procedures for use of personal protective equipment. Shared Health provided this updated guidance to health-care workers earlier today in a memo, which is available at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/files/memo-updated-respiratory-virus-guidance.pdf. Public health officials note other community-based health settings, like doctors’ offices or supportive housing, will continue to be able to decide how and when masks may be used based on the needs of their clients, patients and staff. Decision-making at the local level ensures organizations take an approach that works for their situation. More broadly, businesses, organizations and facilities should consider the needs of their organization, clients and staff for this upcoming respiratory virus season. Additionally, public health encourages all employers to: support people to stay home when they’re sick; have handwashing or sanitizing options available; and provide opportunities for their staff to be vaccinated. All Manitobans have the tools they need to help protect themselves, their families and the community during the respiratory virus season including: choosing to be immunized against COVID-19 and the flu; staying home when sick until they feel better and no longer have a fever; washing their hands or using hand sanitizer regularly; covering coughs and sneezes; choosing to wear a mask as an extra layer of protection; and regularly cleaning and disinfecting shared surfaces and objects. COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccines continue to be distributed across the province. The updated COVID-19 vaccine has been formulated to protect against the XBB.1.5 strain and the seasonal flu vaccine is updated annually to provide the best protection against the strains expected to be circulating this year. It is expected that these vaccines will begin to be more widely available to members of the public in the coming weeks, though some sites may have stock earlier than others. The online vaccine finder at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine.html#finder is updated with new locations and clinic details as they are submitted to the province. There are many ways people can access their vaccines. Manitobans can contact many pharmacies and medical clinics directly to book an appointment or walk in. Vaccine clinics, including those operated by regional health authorities, generally use the online booking tool at https://patient.petal-health.com/login?groupId=6032 or 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222) to book. Walk-ins may also be available at these clinics. For more information about seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines, visit www.manitoba.ca/protectMB. People who have questions about COVID-19 or seasonal flu immunizations should speak with their health-care provider or call Health Links-Info Santé at 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) or 204-788-8200. A weekly epidemiology update on COVID-19 and seasonal flu is posted every Friday at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveillance/influenza/index.html.

On October 16, 2023, at approximately 1:30 am, Brandon Police Service attended with BFES to a residential house fire in the 100 block of Rideau Street.  All the occupants including the family pets made it out safely.  The fire is believed to have started accidentally from items cooking on the stove.

The 12th annual Birdies for Brain Tumours Golf Tournament was held on June 24, 2023. Throughout the efforts of all the sponsors, volunteers, participants, organizers, supporters, donors, and friends, the event was able to provide donations to two charities to the sum of $15,400. $11,550 was donated to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada and $3,850 was donated to the Brandon Regional Centre Foundation.  ⁣Since its inception in July of 2012, this event has raised more than $271,825 and helped raise awareness and funding for further brain tumour research.⁣ The 13th Annual Birdies for Brain Tumours Golf Tournament is scheduled for: Saturday, June 2, 2024 –Glen Lea Golf Course at 1pm.⁣

On October 12, 2023, at approximately 5:30 pm, police observed a male remove mail from a mailbox at a residence in the 700 block of 6th street.  Police confirmed with the homeowner that the suspect did not have reason to have access to the mail.  The 33-year-old male was arrested and found to be in possession of a machete upon his arrest.  He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will be released today to appear in court on December 21, 2023, on charges of Theft From Mail and Possess Weapon.

The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is “WANTED BY POLICE”: Jorg RAUTENBERG FOR Assault & Assault by Choking. The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: On September 16, 2023, Jorg RAUTENBERG assaulted a female by chocking her and punching her several times in the stomach. Police have been unable to locate and arrest RAUTENBERG for his involvement. A warrant of arrest has been issued for Jorg RAUTENBERG as her whereabouts are unknown at this time. ***************** If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this person or anyone else “Wanted by Police” you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637).  Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display.  Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous.  Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime. **************** The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a Theft Under $5000.  On October 8, 2023, at approximately 1:45 P.M, a male driving a 2014 GMC Sierra pickup truck, green and white in color attended a business located in the 1500 block 18th Street North. The male suspect backed the truck up to the front entrance of a business, loaded a snow blower and drove off without paying.