News briefs for Thursday, September 8, 2022

COVID-19 transmission is on the rise in Manitoba, and an increasing number of patients have been hospitalized.

There were 70 new hospital admissions and two new deaths last week compared with the week of Aug. 21 to 27, the provincial government’s weekly COVID-19 epidemiological report shows. The province retroactively added a total of 115 hospitalizations and three deaths to its tally on Thursday.

The PCR test positivity rate has increased slightly to 22.5 per cent, up from 22.1 per cent the previous week, although that number doesn’t reflect the majority of Manitobans whose rapid test results aren’t counted in the data.

This week’s report is posted online here.

Mayoral candidate Rick Shone wants to replace Winnipeg’s police chief.

If elected, Shone says he would seek a spot on the Winnipeg Police Board and call for the resignation of Winnipeg Police Service Chief Danny Smyth.

Shone linked Smyth’s leadership to complaints of low police officer morale, rising crime rates and “waning public trust” in the ability of local police to keep people safe.

While Shone acknowledged he would only have one vote on the police board he hopes to join, he said he would remain a member until the chief is replaced.

The Winnipeg Police Service has declined comment, stating it won’t respond to any civic election announcements.