Opposition calls for COVID-19 aid as Manitoba case numbers continue to climb

WINNIPEG - Manitoba continued to see a climb in COVID-19 hospitalizations Monday as gathering limits remained in place and college students began per week of distant studying.

Well being officers reported 378 individuals in hospital with the virus — a rise of 81 from the final time information was publicly launched on Friday. The variety of these sufferers in intensive care grew barely, to 38 from 34, and there have been 19 further deaths.

The province additionally introduced hundreds of recent circumstances over the weekend.

Hospitals continued to function at above-normal capability. There have been 93 complete sufferers in intensive care, together with individuals who didn't have COVID-19. The traditional capability earlier than the pandemic was 72.

To attempt to gradual the unfold, the Progressive Conservative authorities mentioned final week that it could prolong public well being restrictions, together with capability limits in lots of indoor locations, one other three weeks to Feb. 1.

Faculties had been initially imagined to reopen this week after an prolonged vacation break, however the province moved courses to distant studying for many college students to permit time for masks and speedy checks to be extra broadly distributed. In-person studying is to renew subsequent Monday.

The Opposition New Democrats urged the province to offer households one-time funds to assist cowl the price of distant education.

“Maybe a household has some challenges round needing entry to a brand new (digital) gadget or possibly you want a subscription for a studying expertise,” NDP Chief Wab Kinew mentioned.

The funds could possibly be price $500 per youngster, or $750 for particular wants youngsters, Kinew urged. The money could be accessible to any household no matter earnings and would value the province roughly $70 million, relying on uptake, he mentioned.

“No matter wants that your loved ones has to get via this distant studying interval after which again into the classroom, we predict that it’s essential for presidency to be there with some help.”

The Progressive Conservative authorities had earlier held out the potential for persevering with distant studying past this week, however Premier Heather Stefanson mentioned Monday college students will likely be again in school Jan. 17.

“We're going to stick with that. Children will likely be again at school subsequent Monday.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Jan. 10, 2022.