July 9, 2020

IRTC UPDATE:

Public health officials advise no new cases of COVID-19 were identified as of 9:30 a.m. today. The total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba is 325.

• The data also shows:
  • No individuals in hospital or intensive
  • 4 active cases and 314 individuals have recovered from COVID-19.
  • The number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at 7.
• The dashboard and graphs are updated Monday to Friday at 1 p.m. Data from the weekend will be updated on the following

• The province is inviting public feedback on proposed personal care home visitation shelters. The purpose of the shelters is to support the quality of life for residents by ensuring meaningful connections continue between residents of Manitoba’s personal care homes and their The province is asking for feedback on design requirements related to physical distancing protocols, personal protective equipment, frequency of use and ways to support quality visits. Take the survey here engagemb.ca/visitation-shelters.

IRTC in-office essential services schedule:

All IRTC Staff are available continuously via email and cell phone should you need to contact them.

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If you are using gloves or masks, please discard these items accordingly.

Harm Reduction Program – 93% spike in First Nations overdose deaths recorded in B.C. during COVID-19

New data from B.C.’s First Nations Health Authority shows that overdose deaths among First Nations people have surged dramatically and disproportionately in the province during the COVID-19 pandemic. The losses have spiked 93 per cent when comparing data from January to May in 2019 to the same

months in 2020. Eighty-nine First Nations people died from an overdose between January and May of this

year. May was the deadliest month ever in B.C. for illicit overdoses, with 170 deaths reported by the B.C. Coroners Service. One of the contributing factors in the spike in overdose deaths with the onset of the pandemic has been an increasingly toxic street drug supply due to supply chain disruptions.

“Right now, more than ever, we know that the toxicity of the street supply has gone up exponentially in this pandemic,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer for B.C. Experts also report that since the pandemic hit there has been limited access to supervised consumption sites and other harm reduction and treatment services. Staying home to curb the spread of the virus, Dr. Henry said, “has led people to be more isolated, to be alone, to use alone.”

For more information and to read the entire article, visit: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/bc-first- nations-overdose-deaths-1.5639098

IRTC Education Update: Course Registration Dates for September 2020

Please note that the following education institutions have stated that the majority of their programs will be offered online for the Fall 2020 term. In addition, the following dates should be adhered to when it comes to registering for your courses for the September 2020 session.

Red River College -registration begins a month before your program start date.

University of Winnipeg -registration appointment notices are sent to students mid to late June and registration will begin in July.

University of Manitoba -registration for Fall 2020 opens in Aurora on July 23 – August 11 for returning students. Registration for Fall 2020 for new students will be July 14-20. Students can start checking their registration dates starting July 10.

The Canada Student Services Grant (CSSG) is designed so that qualified Post-Secondary students and

recent graduates can pursue volunteer opportunities and earn up to possibly $1000.00 – $5000.00 based on the number of qualified hours. Below is the link for students to obtain further information and how to apply to the Canada Student Services Grant (CSSG).

https://www.iwanttohelp.org/en-CA/student/eligibility-student