Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported this afternoon 342 new cases of COVID-19 with a five day test positivity rate of 13.4 percent. 

He also announced 11 additional deaths with seven in the Winnipeg region, two in Prairie Mountain and two in Southern Health region.

Chief Nursing Officer Linette Siragusa says they have 341peole in hospital putting pressure on our health care system and for perspective that is more than triple the number of hospitalizations in numbers from only a month ago.  She adds our ICUs have also seen a substantial increase in activity noting as of midnight their critical care program was 145 percent above their normal baseline pre-COVID.  She says there are now 105 patients who are admitted to critical care at this time.

Of the new cases 207 are in Winnipeg, 53 in Southern Health and 46 in the Northern Health region with smaller numbers in other regions.  Of the total 16, 825 reported cases, 9, 260 are considered active and 7, 253 have recovered.

To help children in youth celebrate the holidays this year by getting them a gift from Santa, the North of the 55^th Toy Drive will be collecting donations for families who may be struggling.

Tiffany Price, a Co-Founder of the toy drive, explains that they’re mainly accepting financial donations through e-transfer, but will also take new toys that are not wrapped as well.

The initiative is focussing their efforts on the communities with the greatest needs, which include Split Lake, Lynn Lake, Shamattawa, Leaf Rapids, and Gods Lake.

The toy drive will be accepting donations until December 11^th.

For more information, visit the North of the 55^th Toy Drive Facebook page, or listen to the full interview with Price on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced this afternoon 344 new cases of COVID-19 with a five day test positivity rate of 14.5 percent. Roussin also announced 14 additional deaths including nine in the Winnipeg region, two each in Interlake Eastern and Southern Health and one in Prairie Mountain health region. 

He added they continue to do their work on contact tracing noting their contact tracing calls are continuing, they continue to see good results and are reaching cases and contacts in a timely fashion and public health has developed a new contact tracing tool and this is a form that will be available at the testing sight for Manitobans to list their contacts at that time.

Of the 344 new cases 178 are in the Winnipeg region and a new high of 73 in the Northern Health with this regions active cases including 13 in the Flin Flon, Snow Lake, Cranberry Portage, Sherridan district, 179 in The Pas, OCN, Kelsey district and 27 in the Thompson District.

On November 16, 2020, Thompson RCMP received a report of a missing 17-year-old male originally from Thompson, Manitoba.

William Chastelaine, was last seen in Winnipeg on November 8, 2020.

He is 5’7” in height, approximately 140 lbs with short black hair and hazel eyes. He is believed to be in the Thompson area.

If you have information on his whereabouts please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6911, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Families of Westwood School students were notified earlier this week of a possible COVID-19 exposure in the building.

A letter from the Northern Health Region’s Medical officer of Health Dr. Michael Issac explains the individual who tested positive for the novel coronavirus was at the school last Nov.16-20 when they may have been infectious.

However, Public Health says their medical investigation determined the risk of exposure to be low, and anyone identified as a close contact will be informed by Public Health.

The letter goes on to say that Westwood School will remain open.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced this afternoon our current five day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 14 percent provincially, and 14 percent in Winnipeg.

There are 349 new cases bringing our total number of cases to 14, 907. He noted the number of deaths related to COVID-19 is at 256, and due to a data entry error one death that had been reported earlier has been removed.                                           

Of the new cases, 213 are in the Winnipeg region and 73 in Southern Health Lower numbers in other regions including 30 in the Northern health region.

The nine additional deaths reported include five in the Winnipeg region and four in Southern Health.

Dr. Roussin says he is disappointed about people driving outside the province to do shopping, emphasizing the need to stay home to reduce these numbers and reduce the stress on our health system.

The awareness campaign to stop gender-based violence is back this year, and will be held virtually.

The YWCA Thompson’s Walk A Mile in Her Shoes event has began and will run until December 10^th.

The Y is asking men to participate by taking a picture of them wearing red high heel shoes and sending them to the YWCA, which will be shared on their social media.

They are also asking the participants to seek pledges, and the funds raised will be used to support the local Y’s Women’s Centre.

For more information or to register, call Nina Cordell at 204-778-1209.

Classes should be back on schedule today after RD Parker Collegiate had to evacuate due to a potential fire.

In a statement from Principal Bonnie Rempel posted on the school district’s Facebook page, the fire alarm at RD Parker was activated when smoke filled the cafeteria.

Staff and students were safely evacuated to the TRCC, and the local fire department was called to the school.

Students and staff are not allowed into the building today due to the maintenance department looking into the issue.

Rempel says students should be participating in their online classes today, and school is cancelled for Pathways and IDEAL students for today.

School is expected to resume tomorrow, but Rempel says families will be notified if there are any changes.

At this time, the cause of the incident has not yet been determined.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported 471 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon with the five day test positivity rate at 14.2 percent. 

He also reported 12 additional deaths, with five each in Winnipeg and Southern Health regions, one in Prairie Mountain and one in Northern Health, which was a woman in her 70s.

Of the total new cases, 257 were in the Winnipeg Health Region, 111 in Southern Health with lower numbers in other regions. Those include 38 in the Northern Health Region. 

Of the total 14, 558 reported cases, 8, 677 are considered active, 5, 633 individuals have recovered, and 292 are in hospital with 47 in intensive care.

Public Health Officials also advise that Manitoba is introducing additional steps to ensure improved case and contact monitoring.  In the coming days an outbound automated calling system will be implemented to expand on the current methods for case and contact monitoring.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported this afternoon 543 new cases of COVID-19 with the five day test positivity at 14 percent.  He also announced an outbreak has been declared at the Flin Flon Peronal Care Home and the site has been moved to Critical or Red in the Pandemic Response System.

Also announced were seven additional deaths with five in the Winnipeg Health Region and two in Southern Health.  He notes they’ve had some restrictions in place for quite some time and some early indications that are positive, fewer numbers of contacts per case right now which is an early indication that the restrictions are having an effect.

Of the new cases 368 are in the Winnipeg region and 118 in Southern Health with smaller numbers in other regions including 27 in the Northern Health Region.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported this afternoon 438 new cases of COVID-19.

Roussin also reported nine additional deaths with five in the Winnipeg region including a man in his 20s and one each in Southern Health, Prairie Mountain, Interlake Eastern and Northern Health which was a woman in her 50s.

He said on Tuesday he had to announce the death of a woman in her 30s and today a man in his 20s. Roussin adds all these announcements are more than numbers, and it is tragic to see all these listings everyday now. He urged to Manitobans that we need to continue to be vigilant to stop days like these going forward.           

Of the new cases, 247 are in Winnipeg, 114 in Southern Health with lower numbers in other regions, including 28 in Northern Health Region. 

Of the total 12, 919 reported cases, 7, 861 are considered active, 4, 851 have recovered, and 281 are in hospital.

Currently, there are 412 active cases of COVID-19 in the Northern Health Region with 14 hospitalizations, 259 cases have recovered, and four deaths.

In the Thompson/Mystery Lake District, there are 15 active cases, 190 cases in The Pas/OCN/Kelsey District, and one active case in the Flin Flon/Snow Lake/Cranberry/Sherridon Region.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported this afternoon 475 new cases of COVID-19 with a test positivity rate of 14 percent.

He also reported eight additional deaths with four in the Winnipeg Region and two each in Southern Health and Prairie Mountain Health. 

Of the new cases, 271 are in the Winnipeg region, 124 in Southern Health with lower numbers in other regions including 55 in Northern Health.

Roussin introduced new restrictions effective tomorrow until December 11th as some people and businesses are not following the current ones. 

He says the new orders will state that no one is permitted into a private residence or property other than those who live there with a few exceptions for essential reasons such as child care, health care and emergencies including your home, cottage or other vacation property. 

If someone lives alone, they can have one other person into their residence and they may visit that person's home as well. 

Gatherings of more than five people at any indoor or outdoor place continue to be prohibited with the exception of health care facilities, schools or critical businesses that are following the orders.

Also effective tomorrow, no non-essential items can be sold in stores.

In the Northern Health Region, there are currently 400 actives cases and 13 hospitializations

The Salvation Army is continuing to push their Christmas Hampers as they see a rise in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Director Roy Bladen explained that when the pandemic first hit, there was a surprisingly low demand for their services because of financial aid programs the government was offering.

But they began to see a steady increase of clients in September, which skyrocketed in October as COVID-19 cases increased in the province, prompting public health officials to put Manitoba under code red restrictions.

Bladen says interviews for the Christmas Hampers are continuing to take place Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. The deadline for interviews is December 10^th.

At this time, the Salvation Army will just be doing the annual Christmas Hampers, as the Christmas Kettle campaign can’t take place in Thompson under code red of the Provincial Pandemic Response System.

He adds that the Salvation Army are asking for financial donations to help meet the demand they’re seeing, and those interested in either receiving a hamper or donating can call him at 204-307-2193.

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for the full interview with Bladen.

On November 16, 2020, at approximately 5:10 pm, RCMP responded to a robbery at a business on Cree Road, in Thompson.

A male suspect entered the business, approached the counter and asked to purchase a 24 pack of beer.

The employee went to the back to retrieve the beer, and at this time the male nodded to a second suspect, who then entered the store. The second suspect approached the counter, sprayed the employee with bear spray, and then both suspects took off on foot.

The employee was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The first suspect is described as a tall male, wearing a black toque, black face mask, camouflage hoodie with a black jacket over it.

The second suspect is believed to be female, wearing a black face mask, black hoodie with red writing on the sleeves, grey sweat pants and white sneakers.

If you can identify these suspects, or have information on this robbery please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

A resolution to support the Municipal Enforcement Support Program in Thompson was passed by a vote of 7-2 at Monday night’s city council meeting.

The program is a provincial initiative to help communities bolster the enforcement of public health orders by offering funding and training to municipal employees.

City Manager Anthony McInnis says the city likely won’t have dedicated staff to specifically address Public Health breaches in town. Instead, these employees will take calls as they come in, in additional to their regular work hours.

McInnis adds that the government will be subsidising the wages for employees who work overtime as a part of this program.

He says the city filed their application on Friday so that they could make the deadline, and the training for COVID-19 enforcement will begin in the next week.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported this afternoon 269 new cases of COVID-19. 

He also reported seven additional deaths with four in the Winnipeg region, two in Southern Health and a woman in her 30s in the Interlake Eastern Region. 

He points out the current five day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.6 percent provincially and 13.3 percent in Winnipeg region and we have 270 new cases of the virus identified one of which was identified to be outside of the province so our new net cases are 269 taking our total of confirmed cases to 11,608.

Of the 269 new cases 119 are in the Winnipeg region, 106 in Southern Health, 21 in Interlake Eastern, 16 in Northern Health and eight in Prairie Mountain health region. 

A total of 7105 cases are active, 4324 have recovered and 240 are in hospital with 41 in intensive care. 

In the Northern Health Region, there are 328 active cases of COVID-19, with 21 active cases in the Thompson/Mystery Lake District, 146 in The Pas/OCN/Kelsey District, and two in the Flin Flon/Snow Lake/Cranberry/Sherridon District.

228 patients have recovered in the NRHA. There are currently 10 hospitalizations, with one patient in ICU. The number of deaths remains at three.

Roussin says hospitals are reaching capacity, so people will be subject to fines if public health orders are not followed. He goes on to urge Manitobans to stay home and only go out for essential purposes.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has thanked all Manitobans doing the right thing to keep themselves and others safe from COVID-19. 

He noted there are still those who are not so there are going to be consequences explaining over the weekend the Manitoba government deployed a team of provincial employees province wide and they were dedicated to enforcing public health orders. 

He said that team had more than 225 interactions with a wide variety of businesses or organizations and individuals and in all 32 tickets were issued across Manitoba last week which is triple the previous week.

Pallister reported the province has signed a contract with G4S Canada to boost public health enforcement efforts.  They will provide upwards of 90 personnel to bolster the compliment of provincial and municipal employees enforcing public health orders.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported 392 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon. 

He also reported ten additional deaths with six in the Winnipeg region and four in Southern Health. 

Roussin noted against his advice some people are not staying home and some businesses are not following the 25 percent or physical distancing rules noting one person with COVID reported 85 contacts. 

He says we can’t sustain this number of cases in our health care system, we need to bring these numbers down and we need to work on that starting right now. 

He adds out hospitals are near capacity as we have over 40 people in ICU with COVID-19 right now and our health care providers are becoming overwhelmed, many Manitobans are worried and many are scared right now. Roussin goes on to say that Manitobans need to stay home.

Of the 392 new cases 255 were in Winnipeg, 72 in Southern Health with cases in other regions, including 25 in Northern Health.

Public health officials also advise of an outbreak at St. Paul’s Residence in The Pas and it has been moved to critical or red.

There are currently 331 active cases of COVID-19 in the NRHA, inlcuding 19 in the Thompson/Mystery Lake District.

On November 14, 2020, at approximately 4:15 pm, RCMP responded to a snowmobile collision at the intersection of Weir Road and Cree Road, in Thompson.

The initial investigation has determined that two snowmobiles were going north in an open field, when one of the snowmobiles went over a snowbank, lost control, and the driver and passenger were thrown from their snowmobile. 

The 37-year-old female driver was taken to hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

The 11-year-old female passenger, was taken to hospital, treated and released.

Both riders were wearing helmets and alcohol is not a factor in the collision.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

Thompson is among the 13 municipalities that will have speed display board signs installed in the coming months as a way to encourage motorists not to speed.

The display boards are electronic signs that use radar that detect the speed of an approaching vehicle and show the speed on a LED message display.

Thompson will have two boards installed, and their locations will be determined by a public works unit.

This is a part of a pilot road safety partnership between Manitoba Public Insurance and the participating communities. MPI says the results of the pilot will be monitored to determine the success of the program.

Speed has been a major factor in road fatalities, as it was a cause in about one-in-five deaths on Manitoba roadways last year.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported this afternoon 474 new cases of COVID-19 with a test positivity rate of 11 percent provincially. 

He also reported nine additional deaths with eight in Winnipeg and one in Southern Health. 

Roussin says we need to reduce contacts drastically to see these numbers come down as they have before so the message is clear and the orders are clear related to who can be fined but let’s just be absolutely clear that the message from public health is to stay home, leave for essential reasons only and only socialize with those inside your households.

Of the new cases 315 are in the Winnipeg Health Region, 94 in Southern Health, 26 in Interlake Eastern, 20 in Northern Health and 19 in Prairie Mountain Health.  Of the total 9782 reported cases 6,030 are active, 3620 have recovered, 227 are in hospital with 34 in intensive care and deaths total 132.

There are currently 297 active COVID-19 cases in the north, including 12 in the Thompson/Mystery Lake Health District.

On Nov. 12 at approximately 2:30 am, Thompson RCMP received a report of a single gunshot at an apartment complex on Cambridge Street in Thompson.

Officers attended immediately and from outside the unit, police were able to see a bullet hole in the front living room window of a ground-floor apartment.

When they entered the unit, nobody was home, the apartment was in disarray, and a fire extinguisher had been sprayed all over the room. There were no signs of trauma.

Police were able to locate and speak with the resident of the apartment.

There were no injuries.

Initial investigation has determined the bullet hole appears to have been made by a 12-gauge shotgun.

RCMP Forensic Identification Services is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

RCMP are asking anyone with information to call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

The RCMP says it will examine the training given to community safety officers in Thompson after an Indigenous woman was punched unconscious at the city's detachment in 2018.

A video of what happened was made public by the media Monday and shows the woman being punched by a city safety officer.

Manitoba RCMP Assistant Commissioner Jane MacLatchy says even though it wasn't a Mountie who struck 19-year-old Genesta Garson, it needs to ensure the safety of everyone placed in police cells.

MacLatchy says R-C-M-P are working with the province to look for different ways to help intoxicated people instead of arresting them and putting them in a jail cell.

People looking to donate to the Thompson Community Foundation have the chance to really make it count.

From now until Sunday, a five dollar donation to the organization will be stretched to seven dollars during the Endow Manitoba Giving Challenge.

That means the Winnipeg Foundation and the Manitoba government will stretch each five dollar donation made to the Thompson Community Foundation with one dollar each.

The TFC says it plays an important role by supporting local charitable project through the grants it makes available to a number of different causes in the community.

Those include seniors’ homes, school improvements, fitness, and more.

For more information or to donate, go to endowmb.org, or call the Thompson Community Foundation at 204-281-3110.

On November 6, 2020, a RCMP investigation in Norway House, Manitoba led the Manitoba RCMP North District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST) to relay information to the Winnipeg Police Service Guns and Gangs Unit that a male gang member would be travelling from Norway House to Winnipeg and would be in possession of a firearm.

On November 8, 2020, following a joint WPS and RCMP investigation, the WPS Tactical Support Team and Guns and Gang Unit executed a search warrant at a residence in Winnipeg. Several individuals were arrested and multiple items were seized, including a SKS Rifle, assorted ammunition, an undisclosed amount of Canadian currency, drug packaging material and score sheets, and Bloodz Street Gang paraphernalia.

Three individuals are facing firearms and proceeds of crimes charges:

Wilford FORBISTER, 28, of Norway House: Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized, Store Firearm Contrary to Regulations, and Possess Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order x2, Fail to Comply with Condition of Undertaking

Sterling OWEN, 24, of Winnipeg: Store Firearm Contrary to Regulations, Possess Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized, Possess Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order x2, Failure to Comply with Condition of Release Order x2, Possess Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000

Jeanine BERENS, 30, of Winnipeg: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Careless Storage of Firearm, Store Firearm Contrary to Regulations, Failure to Comply with Release Order x3, Adult Possess Proceeds of Crime over $5,000.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr, Brent Roussin says increasing COVID-19 numbers must be stopped.  Roussin announced as of Thursday the entire province will move into the red critical zone listing some of the restrictions.

He reports there’ll be no social gatherings permitted, social contact is reduced to members of your household only, travel to and from northern Manitoba is restricted and non-essential travel is strongly discouraged.

Retail businesses listed as critical services can remain open at 25 percent capacity including grocery stores, pharmacies and others. Retail businesses not on the list can provide e-service curbside pick or delivery only, all gyms and fitness centers must close and sites that provide space for religious gatherings must close.

All recreation activities, sports facilities and libraries must also close. 

No changes will be made to child care services or kindergarten to grade 12 education delivery as there has not been widespread transmission in schools.

Following a video that was released by a media outlet of a Indigenous woman who was shown to be knocked unconscious at the Thompson RCMP detachment by a community safety officer in 2018, the city has released a statement in response.

In the statement, the city says that though the altercation happened in January 2018, neither the offices of the Mayor or City Manager were informed of what occurred until seven months later when Manitoba Justice reached out to the city’s Fire and Public Safety Director at the time.

In turn, he reached out to the RCMP to get an update, which stated the CSO who punched the woman was cleared by RCMP’s Use of Force Expert at the time, and no disciplinary action was taken.

The city says a copy of the security footage was not provided to them by the RCMP, and the current administration is viewing parts of this footage for the first time. It adds that once the city receives a copy of the full video through the court process, it will review the footage to determine their next steps.

The statement says that since the incident, there have been changes to the CSO program that have been made.

That includes supervision of CSOs returning to a dedicated Public Safety Manager to ensure proper oversight and that mandated training is adhered to and the city being notified immediately by the RCMP when use-of-force incidents occur. Once notified, the City Manager, in consultation with the Public Safety Manager and HR, will conduct an investigation.

Additionally, the city states that since February of this year, it along with the province and 20 different community organizations have been working together to create an all-encompassing public safety strategy in collaboration with independent consultants Community Safety and Knowledge Alliance and representatives from education, social services, healthcare, addictions treatment, and Indigenous organizations. That includes the announcment of the new sobering centre in Thompson

Then-19-year-old Genesta Garson from Tataskweyak Cree Nation was taken to the Thompson RCMP detachment Jan. 6, 2018 by two CSOs due to her appearing intoxicated outside the Northern Inn.

In a video obtained by CBC, the two CSOs along with an RCMP officer were seen surrounding Garson as she took off clothing, and is seen being punched in the face by one of the CSOs before being dragged into a jail cell. She was then taken to hospital for her injuries

Garson has filed a lawsuit against the city and the RCMP, which seeks damages for her treatment by the hands of the officers involved in the incident, argues her rights were violated, and alleges she was discriminated against because she is Indigenous.

MKO’s Grand Chief Garrison Settee issued a statement in response to the video, saying that the RCMP had a role in protecting Garson, and the violence seen in the video is shocking and unacceptable.

Settee adds that MKO will address the incident, as they are the strongest advocates of the protection of women in Canada.

Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen has announced the Manitoba Government is establishing a new resource centre to support remote learning across the province. 

Goertzen explains the province in coordination with their partners will be hiring 100 teachers and 20 EAs in the development of a remote learning unit. 

He says this support will help teachers who are delivering education remotely, it’ll be a team that will assist and benefit those who are home schooling and those who are providing home education.

Goertzen also announced there will be three additional non-instructional days added to this year’s school calendar so schools can focus on collaborative planning as they shift and adapt to remote learning. 

Two of these days will be scheduled before Christmas and one in the second semester. 

Divisions will incorporate these days into their calendars where they best fit.

The Royal Canadian Legion will be having a Remembrance Day service, which will be live-streamed on their Facebook page.

The service will begin tomorrow morning at 10:15, and will be about an hour long.

People can view the service live on the Thompson Legion #244 Facebook page, and will also be on Shaw Channel 11 after the service is completed.

For more on the Remembrance Day service, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported 365 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon. 

233 of the cases are in the Winnipeg Region, 91 in Southern Health, 16 each in the Northern Health and Interlake Eastern and nine in Prairie Health Region.

He reported three additional deaths with two in Southern Health and one in Winnipeg Health Region. Roussin says he has met with the Premier to discuss further restrictions and will continue to review all options. 

He notes we see that in just one week they’ve announced more than two thousand cases so we see these numbers going in the wrong direction and we see increasing demand on our health care system and we’re at a critical point where we have to change these dynamics.

Roussin adds we have the ability to turn these numbers around and we know what we need to do by reducing out contacts.

Manitoba Public Health reported over the weekend 712 new cases of COVID-19.

The majority were in the Winnipeg Health Region with 474 and 34 reported in the Northern Health Region. 

Ten additional deaths were also reported with all of them in the Winnipeg Health Region, bringing the total number of deaths related to COVID-19 to 106. 

From the total 8, 130 cases reported, there are now 4, 849 active cases in the province, 3, and 175 individuals have recovered.

173 patients are in hospital, with 25 in intensive care.

As the north continues to see a rise in COVID-19 cases, our local MP is urging the province to consider stricter restrictions in the region.

In her letter to Chief Public Health Officer Doctor Brent Roussin, Niki Ashton states that she’s hearing from many communities that they are concerned about further outbreaks in the north.

Ashton explains that there have already been a number of outbreaks declared across the region, and she says it could spread to other communities rapidly.

Ashton goes on to call on Roussin to consider putting northern Manitoba under critical/red, with specific restrictions related to travel between communities for essential purposes only.

Manitoba Hydro updated its COVID-19 case numbers, and as of Thursday, a total of 24 workers have tested positive for COVID-19.

Another eight workers are awaiting secondary test results from Cadham Provincial Lab, and there are 45 workers isolating in special dorms at the site.

Hydro president and CEO Jay Grewal says the company is moving forward with its temporary workplace reduction in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus while still continuing work by following the guidelines put in place.

Grewal adds that Hydro had already implemented the requirements of a code critical/red before it was officially announced by the province last week.

She goes on to say that of the more than 760 workers at Keeyask, approximately 550 will continue critical work at the camp.

Manitoba's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced the first death from COVID-19 in the Northern Health Region this afternoon.

The patient was a female in her 40s in the Island Lake District.

Four other deaths were announced today, most linked to outbreaks in personal care homes and hospitals in the Winnipeg health region.

Roussin says 242 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified as of this morning, which includes 23 new cases in the NRHA.

There are currently 223 active cases in the Northern Health Region, 19 of which are in the Thompson/Mystery Lake District.

For its 33^rd season, the Huron Carole is holding virtual concerts in lieu of touring the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The show is adjusting its event so that it can be enjoyed at home or at a venue adhering to public health orders in place.

Tom Jackson, the founder and lead performer of the Huron Carole, explains that local charities and organizations can sell tickets to the event as a way to fundraise this holiday season.

Since 1987, the Huron Carole has raised $230 million for food banks, social services, and relief organizations in Canada.

For more information on the Huron Carole, email toddjordan@paquinentertainment.com.

Or tune in to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

As the province declared an outbreak at Manitoba Hydro’s Keeyask site this week, MKO along with four partner First Nations in the project called on the Prime Minister to address the situation at the site.

MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee said that their meetings with the crown corporation made it clear to them that they had -quote- “no plan to address the outbreak”, and accused Premier Brian Pallister and Health Minster Cameron Friesen for not showing urgency regarding the situation.

Settee, along with the Chiefs of York Factory, Fox Lake, War Lake, and Tataskweyak, also criticized Hydro for lack of transparency and communication regarding the situation, stating that workers from their communities are scared and are asking for reassurances.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported at Keeyask by Manitoba Hydro, with 11 cases still pending secondary test results from Cadham Provincial Lab.

Public Health has declared an outbreak at the Manitoba Hydro Keeyask site, and has been moved to Critical/Red under the Pandemic Response System.

The outbreak was announced at this afternoon’s provincial COVID-19 news conference.

As of Nov. 3, 20 workers at the site have tested positive for COVID-19, and Manitoba Hydro says there are 59 workers isolating at the site.

Manitoba’s Chief Public Health Officer Doctor Brent Roussin explained that up-to-date case numbers at the site are pending, and public health investigations are ongoing. Roussin added that Manitoba Hydro would provide updates as more information becomes available.

374 new cases of COVID-19 were announced, including 14 cases in the Northern Health region.

There are 164 active cases in the region, including 13 in the Thompson/Mystery Lake District.

Manitoba Hydro has updated COVID-19 test results from the Keeyask Generating Station construction site yesterday afternoon.

The company reported 20 workers have now been confirmed positive for COVID-19 in a second test processed by Cadham Provincial Lab.

Another 11 workers with an initial “not clear” are awaiting the results of the second test from Cadham.

As of yesterday, 59 workers are isolating in special dorms at the Keeyask site.

241 cases of COVID-19 and five deaths were reported this afternoon during the provincial press briefing.

That includes 29 new cases in the Northern Health Region.

There are currently 15 active cases in the Thompson/Mystery Lake District, 70 cases in the The Pas/OCN/Kelsey District, and 2 cases in the Flin Flon/Snow Lake/Cranberry/Sherridon District. There are 155 active cases at this time.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin is urging Manitobans to not socialize with people from outside their household, to cut down the number of close contacts, and avoid closed-in or crowded spaces.

Additionally, residents should focus on the COVID-19 fundamentals, such as staying home when sick, washing/sanitizing your hands and covering your cough, physically distance when you are with people from outside your household, and wear a mask to help reduce the risk to others.

Manitoba Hydro says it is temporarily reducing the number of employees at the Keeyask Generating Station construction project as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.

The company said in a news release over the weekend that five of the 764 workers at the site in the province's north tested positive for COVID-19.

It said plans for the workforce reduction were still being developed, and that they would ensure the safety and security of the project is maintained.