Northern surge dominates newest COVID-19 numbers MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee thinks access to rapid testing needs to be readily available in all local First Nations. New COVID-19 infections continue to surge in northern Manitoba, with more than half of the cases reported Thursday stemming from the region. New COVID-19 infections continue to surge in northern Manitoba, with more than half of the cases reported Thursday stemming from the region. Of the 198 new cases logged across the province, 105 were reported in the Northern Health region. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said access to rapid testing needs to be readily available in all local First Nations, including the 26 northern communities represented by MKO, to better respond to the virus surge.