Chief of Nursing Officer with Shared Health, Lanette Siragusa, applauded the efforts of Manitobans who have encouraged their neighbors and communities as a whole in today's COVID-19 update.    She gave specific accolades to residents in the RM of Pipestone for finding different way of lifting each other up.

“I wanted to start today by acknowledging the efforts of so many Manitobans that are giving back to the community in a variety of ways.  We’ve seen a number of thoughtful initiatives launched over the past 3 weeks and it’s been amazing.”

“So there have been companies who have switched gears and changed what they do so that they can now produce medical supplies and apparel for our health care workers to help us face this challenge Canada Goose being one of them that we are very appreciative of.”

“There are municipalities that are going above and beyond to help its residents in the Rural Municipality of Pipestone they set up a grocery delivery service for its residents and offered interest free loans to local businesses to help keep them afloat.”

“And there are small gestures that we’ve heard and seen so much, people donating blood, giving to charities, picking up groceries for elderly neighbors and putting artwork on their front windows to try and brighten peoples’ days in these times.”

“In Manitoba, when we say ‘we’re all in this together’ its not just a tag line its really how we’ve chosen to live our lives these last few weeks.  And it’s great to see.”

“So, thanks to everyone who continues to bring that energy to these unprecedented times.”

Isolation site in Brandon?

In Saturday's provincial update, it had been mentioned that there were plans in place to establish an isolation site in Brandon.  Siragusa says a Brandon site it certainly within their plan of action, it's just a a matter of time.

“It’s really important to us in this whole COVID-19 pandemic planning that we take provincial approach to responding and making sure that all patients in Manitoba have a safe place to go.”

“So, we are looking outside of Winnipeg and Brandon is one site we will be looking at. Right now, we are going to start in Winnipeg because this is where the highest volume of COVID-positive patients are.”

“We are going to work through the process and then we will take it on the road after that and just replicate and keep building capacity as we go so that everyone has an opportunity for isolation.”

“And we very much want everybody to be able to just take the plan and take the process and make it happen and our ARP (Clinical Alternative Relationship Plan) does include hotel space outside of Winnipeg.”

“As soon as we feel comfortable that we’ve got this first site and we’ve worked out all the kinks, we’ve got that process really slick and steady, then we will take it out beyond. So, I would hope in a couple of weeks perhaps.”