A roundup of COVID-19 developments on March 18, 2020

On Tuesday, we launched a new email newsletter focused on coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic to a select number of readers. To those readers, thank you for all the positive feedback.

What I heard from many of those readers was recognition of the value of a package of information from a trusted source that ensures everyone can be in the loop on this story that continues to mutate.

There was also evidence Tuesday on how easily misinformation can be spread and result in instructions that are problematic. Shortly after Premier Brian Pallister spoke at the daily briefing, a high school sent out a message to parents that the province was encouraging parents to keep their school-age students at home for the rest of the week. Alas, that was not the case.

Granted, the harm from that bit of misinformation was minimal, given how few kids are actually still attending school this week. But imagine if the misinformation that landed in your inbox was telling you that hospitals were suddenly closed? Or that the buses were no longer running?

This briefing is designed to ensure that whatever happens in the weeks ahead – whether the news is good, bad or ugly – you will know you can trust what you read.

Keep reading and keep washing those hands.

-Paul Samyn, Winnipeg Free Press Editor

LATEST NUMBERS

ManitobaConfirmed: 8Presumptive: 9(As of 5 p.m. Wednesday)

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COVID-19 CASES IN CANADA

THE LATEST FROM MANITOBA PUBLIC HEALTH

Manitoba’s first drive-thru community testing site for COVID-19 opened Wednesday afternoon in Selkirk. The new site will see patients referred to the site drive up to be screened by health-care workers. If necessary, they will be registered, tested and given advice on what to do while awaiting results without leaving their vehicle.

The Selkirk testing site, at 622 Superior Ave., will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is the ninth dedicated testing site to open in Manitoba in the past week. There are four sites in Winnipeg, as well as locations in Brandon, Thompson, Flin Flon and The Pas.

Starting Thursday, Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) clients are asked to contact staff through the call centre whenever possible, in order to follow public health recommendations on social distancing. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 204-948-2888 (inside Winnipeg) or 1-855-944-8111 (toll-free, outside Winnipeg). Clients can also email the department at eia@gov.mb.ca.

THE LATEST ELSEWHERE

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced sweeping measures to help Canadians absorb the pandemic’s economic punch. The federal government is deploying up to $82 billion in direct spending and tax deferrals.

The aid will include more money for individuals receiving the Canada Child Benefit and GST credit and allow small businesses, charities and non-profits to keep paying employees. Tax payments have been deferred until August, while the deadline for filing taxes has been moved to June 1.

Trudeau and President Donald Trump also announced the Canada-U.S. border will be closed, except for essential personnel and trade. Exemptions will remain in place to ensure Canadians who are now in the United States are able to return home.

NOTABLE CLOSURES

CancerCare Manitoba is suspending breast-cancer screening for two weeks.

IKEA Canada has temporarily closed its stores across the country, coming a day after a similar decision by The Bay. Both are still offering online shopping.

Notably not closed: contrary to widespread rumours, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries announced Wednesday afternoon that liquor stores remain open. Details are available on their website.

We are updating an extensive list of closures and cancellations in Winnipeg related to the pandemic. See it here.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

2 hours, four minutes: average wait time for callers to Manitoba’s Health Links line on Tuesday.

2,900 +: number of tests completed at Cadham Provincial Laboratory as of end of day Tuesday.

91,000: number of users to access Manitoba’s new online screening tool this week.

QUOTE, UNQUOTE

“In these extraordinary times our government is taking extraordinary measures.”

— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

LOCAL NEWS

Maggie Macintosh:

Virus pushes release of education review report to back burner

The province is postponing the release of the highly anticipated review of the public education system as government officials place priority on Manitoba’s COVID-19 response. “There are ma... Read More

Joyanne Pursaga:

City budget meetings roll on amid COVID-19 concerns

An advocacy group stayed away from the City of Winnipeg’s latest 2020-23 budget meeting Wednesday, arguing others should join its boycott of the “reckless” event. Budget for All Winn... Read More

Dean Pritchard:

Manitoba courts take ‘unprecedented step’ in coronavirus efforts

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, Manitoba’s three top judges said Tuesday, as they outlined court efforts to address the growing coronavirus pandemic. “We have tried to... Read More

Maggie Macintosh:

U of W, Brandon clearing out residences, sending students home

Some post-secondary students who live in residence are being asked to vacate their buildings as Manitoba schools implement social distancing on campuses across the province. The University of Winnipeg... Read More

CANADA NEWS

Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press:

Trudeau pledges $82B in aid in COVID-19 fight

OTTAWA – The federal government will deploy up to $82 billion in direct spending and deferred taxes to help every Canadian get through the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said W... Read More

Laura Osman, The Canadian Press:

Businesses want national message on closures

OTTAWA – While Canada’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak has taken off drastically in the last week, some have found it lopsided across the country. In Ontario and Alberta, dine-in restau... Read More

Joan Bryden, The Canadian Press:

Parliament to be recalled amid COVID-19 crisis

OTTAWA – Parliament will be recalled to deal with legislation to free up billions in financial aid for Canadians and businesses to weather the COVID-19 crisis, likely next week. But it won’... Read More

David Paddon, The Canadian Press:

Fraudulent COVID-19 emails target Canadians

TORONTO – Cybersecurity experts are renewing their warnings that the COVID-19 crisis is a huge opportunity for criminals to take advantage of confusion as people are forced to work away from the... Read More

Victoria Ahearn, The Canadian Press:

CBC temporarily scraps most local TV newscasts

TORONTO – The CBC temporarily scrapped most of its local TV newscasts to consolidate resources at CBC News Network amid the COVID-19 crisis on Wednesday — a move the premier of Prince Edward Isl... Read More

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press:

Companies pivot to serve COVID-19 needs

TORONTO – Looking for a way to help amid an outbreak of the novel coronavirus sweeping across Canada, Toronto-based Spirit of York Distillery Co. didn’t have to go very far. Instead of it... Read More

Laura Osman, The Canadian Press:

Doctor improvises way to double ventilators

OTTAWA – A doctor in Ontario has improvised a way to double his small hospital’s ventilator capacity in preparation for a possible COVID-19 outbreak. Anesthetist Dr. Alain Gauthier, who ha... Read More

WORLD NEWS

Tim Sullivan And Anita Snow, The Associated Press:

Trump invokes emergency authority, no new cases in Wuhan

MINNEAPOLIS – President Donald Trump invoked emergency authority to marshal industry to fight the coronavirus, as the economic fallout from the pandemic mounted Wednesday with major U.S. auto ma... Read More

Ross Marowits, The Canadian Press:

Stocks plummet again; loonie drops

TORONTO – North American stock indexes plunged, crude oil prices tanked and the loonie fell to a five-year low as COVID-19 fears continued to rattle markets. Equity, bond and currency markets co... Read More

The Associated Press:

Manufacturers shutter plants, travel halted as virus spreads

The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus worldwide surpassed 200,000 for the first time Wednesday and the damage being seeded in the global economy is growing more clear by the day. Furlou... Read More

Jim Mustian And Joshua Goodman, The Associated Press:

Get out of jail? Inmates fearful of virus argue for release

NEW YORK – Coronavirus has become a “get out of jail” card for hundreds of low-level inmates across the country, and even hard-timers are seeking their freedom with the argument that it... Read More

By David Biller And Diarlei Rodrigues, The Associated Press:

Rio’s Christ statue closes and state of emergency decreed

Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue, which appears to balance improbably atop Corcovado mountain, has withstood the worst of what the elements could muster for nearly nine decades. Now i... Read More

COVID-19 BASICS

COVID-19 FAQ

How to protect yourself and others from infection, and what to do if you think you have symptoms Read More

What’s open, what’s closed in Winnipeg during the coronavirus pandemic

A round-up of changes due to public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

What to do if COVID-19 suspected

Manitoba’s health department has implemented guidelines for who to call and where to go if Manitobans are concerned they may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus or are exhibiting symptoms... Read More

Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press:

How and when to self-isolate over COVID-19

Here's a look at what medical and public health experts say about when and how to self-isolate. Read More

Winnipeg Free Press:

How social distancing works and what it means for you

Can my kids go on a play date? Is it OK if I visit the gym? In this time of coronavirus, once-easy questions have suddenly become complex. Here are some questions and answers about the “social d... Read More