askatchewan's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. (Lisa Schick/CKOM News Staff)

By The Canadian Press

Latest Covid-19 News from the Prairies

Latest COVID-19 news from the prairie provinces

Mar 29, 2020 | 10:20 AM

Saskatchewan snowmobile rally

Saskatchewan says more than half of the 30 new COVID-19 cases it reported yesterday are connected to a snowmobile rally earlier this month.

Health officials had already warned anyone who attended the Lakeland Snowmobile Club Wilderness Rally Supper on March 14th to immediately self-isolate.

On Saturday, they said that in addition to the two cases they’d originally identified with the event, 16 other people have tested positive for the virus.

There are now 134 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan as of yesterday. (The Canadian Press)

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

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Saskatchewan minister deletes controversial tweet

Saskatchewan’s highways minister says he’s deleted a tweet that was meant to encourage people to pray during the pandemic.

Greg Ottenbreit posted a photo of a Bible passage where God says that when he sends an epidemic onto his people, they will be forgiven if they if they pray to him “and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing.”

Ottenbreit says in the tweet — quote — “I guess it worked a few thousand years ago …couldn’t hurt.”

But in a statement later, Ottenbreit says he realized the picture framed it harshly, and could be interpreted to mean that’s all one should do. (The Canadian Press)

Layoffs expected in Alberta’s education field

The Alberta government is redirecting 128 million dollars of funding for schools in the province into its COVID-19 response.

A news release says the money would have been used for transportation, substitute teachers and educational assistants, all of which are being reduced while in-person classes remain cancelled.

The province says staff who are affected by the “temporary funding adjustment” are encouraged to apply for the federal government’s enhanced employment insurance program.

The Edmonton Public School Board says it was planning to introduce new online learning tools for parents this week, and say the decision will impact their ability to do so. (Global, CTV)

Winnipeg nab man in connection with a break-in spree

Police in Winnipeg say they have arrested a man in connection with 42 separate break-ins, almost all of which they allege happened while the victims were at home asleep.

Police say debit and credit cards were stolen, and their tap feature was used at stores to make fraudulent purchases.

During some of the incidents, police allege the suspect was scared off by residents while he was inside the homes.

Thirty-two-year-old Nelson Amiral Ferreira faces dozens of fraud charges, as well numerous other charges including assaulting a peace officer and possession of goods obtained by crime. (The Canadian Press)

Hutterite life changing to help deal with COVID-19

Representatives of Manitoba’s Hutterite colonies say life is changing quickly for their members due to COVID-19.

Josh Waldner, secretary-treasurer for Springfield Hutterite Colony Farms, says the colony doesn’t eat together anymore in the dining room and hasn’t had a church service in 10 days.

James Hofer, Manager for StarLite Hutterite Colony, says distancing measures are difficult because in the community, there’s a tremendous support system.

Both colonies say farm production hasn’t been interrupted by the physical distancing efforts. (CTV Winnipeg)