By The Canadian Press
Paramedics wheel a patient past ambulances outside a hospital in Toronto on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is extending its COVID-19 public health orders for another week.
The rules, which include a cap on public gatherings and limits on guests in private homes, were due to expire next Tuesday, but will run until Feb. 8.
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin says hospitalization rates are stabilizing and the current pandemic wave may have peaked.
Officials warn, however, that the health care system remains under stress and more patients may have to be moved to hospitals outside their home region.
To help those patients, the province is now offering financial aid for their relatives or other supporters who visit them.
Each patient will be allowed one designated support person who will be entitled to meal vouchers, transportation funding, and up to $70 a night for accommodations.
