Wastewater monitoring shows potential peak of COVID-19 transmission in Winnipeg
On a blustery day bitter cold temperatures eased, providing some relief to Manitobans in search some fresh air and a walk to lunch.
Despite public health measures which allow indoor dining, Tanya Schulz is opting to stick with take out, for now.
“Because I don’t think anyone should expose themselves to COVID, and I think you can expose yourself wherever you are now,” Schulz said.
Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief public health officer said the province is in fact continuing to see a significant amount of spread of COVID-19.
But he said wastewater monitoring in Winnipeg conducted by the National Microbiology Lab, used to help determine the level of virus in the community shows the worst of this latest wave of infections may have already passed.
“There was a potential peak in early January, however, since then we haven’t seen any dramatic decline and we’re seeing quite variable levels since that time,” Roussin said in a Wednesday update.
Roussin stressed it is only one indicator and it is still too early to make any definitive conclusions.
He said what is most important is looking at the impact on the health care system, which is still strained.
The situation is leaving residents, businesses and organizations in limbo over what the next public health orders might look like with the current measures set to expire Feb.1.
Darrel Nadeau, executive director of Festival du Voyageur, said a hybrid in-person and virtual edition of the annual celebration of French culture has already been planned to take place under the current public orders when it kicks off in just over three weeks.
Most activities will take place outdoors or virtually with some in-person, indoor concerts held. But under the current measures it would mean a maximum of 250 people would be allowed to attend outside at Voyageur Park, which can usually accommodate 4,000 people.
“It’ll be very small so our preference would be for an increase to outdoor capacity and then obviously following all the public health orders otherwise in terms of masking, in terms of distancing, in terms of vaccination checks,” said Nadeau.
Roussin said an announcement will be made in the coming days but wouldn’t give any hints on what the orders will look like.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.