News briefs for Friday, January 13, 2023

RSV still on the rise, respiratory virus report shows

10:32 AM

Confirmed flu cases are declining but RSV rates are still increasing in Manitoba, the province’s latest respiratory virus report shows.

Twelve Manitobans were hospitalized because of influenza during the week of Jan. 1 to 7, and no flu deaths were recorded.

The province cites lower levels of COVID-19 detected in wastewater, along with a decrease in positive lab-confirmed COVID tests, to point to a decline in rates of the novel coronavirus. The weekly test positivity rate for PCR tests is 10.3 per cent. There were 38 people hospitalized with COVID from Jan. 1 to 7, and no new deaths recorded. But the province retroactively added 25 deaths to its overall COVID-19 death toll, which now stands at 292 deaths since fall 2022.

Two arrested after Beverley Street shooting

10:52 AM

Two people have been arrested after a man was shot in the 400 block of Beverley Street early Thursday.

The 24-year-old victim was shot in a Beverley Street home and found by police outside, where he was sent to hospital in unstable condition. He remains in hospital but his condition has been upgraded to stable.

Police arrested a 22-year-old woman inside the house, and a 20-year-old man was arrested near Victor Street and Ellice Avenue. Later, the firearm believed to be used in the shooting was seized from the home. Investigators believe the victim and one of the suspects knew each other previously. 
 
Both suspects face charges of aggravated assault, robbery, unauthorized possession of a firearm with ammunition, and storing and discharging an illegal firearm. The man has also been charged with identity fraud and four counts of failing to comply with a release order, and the woman has been charged with two counts of failing to comply with the conditions of an undertaking.

Police say they are not naming the suspects because the investigation is ongoing.

Attempted dog robbery in Spence

11:01 AM

Investigators are looking for two women who attempted to steal a man’s dog while he walked it in Spence Thursday morning.

Police say the victim, a man in his 50s, was walking his dog near McMicken Street and Sargent Avenue at around 6 a.m. when two women approached him and asked to pet his dog. When he said no, one of the women grabbed the leash from him and threatened him with bear spray.

The victim punched the woman and ran off with his dog. The dog was not injured.

The suspects are described as two women in their 30s. The first is described as Indigenous in appearance, with a medium to large build and dark hair tied back. She was wearing a three-quarters length jacket. The second suspect was described with a medium build and was smoking a cigarette at the time.

The investigation is ongoing.

Intersection at McLeod Avenue and Raleigh Street closed for repairs

11:10 AM

Cadets are redirecting traffic at McLeod Avenue and Raleigh Street for several hours as signal lights are repaired in the area.

Police recommend drivers using the East Kildonan intersection find an alternate route.

Pedestrian dead after collision in Bunibonibee Cree Nation

12:27 PM

A 41-year-old pedestrian is dead after he was hit by a vehicle in Bunibonibee Cree Nation on Tuesday.

Oxford House RCMP said a vehicle was leaving a business in the northern community at about 8 p.m. when it struck the man, who was on foot. He was taken to the local nursing station, where he died, RCMP say.

The driver, a 64-year-old woman, and passenger, a 16-year-old boy, weren’t hurt, Mounties say.

Local RCMP are still investigating.