Local News
Diary of the pandemic situation at Simkin Centre

(Updated each day as new reports arrive)
Dec. 14: Good news – We are glad to report that, as of today, there are no active cases of COVID-19 at the Simkin Centre. After almost two consecutive months with at least one active case every day – either among residents or staff, there is now reason to believe that the worst is over. Following is a chronology of events, beginning with the first reported case of COVID-19 on Oct. 22:
Following is a review of what has happened at the Simkin Centre in chronological order:
In our October 28 issue we reported that on October 22 the Simkin Centre reported its first case of COVID-19 in a resident.
Since then, Laurie Cerqueti, CEO has provided regular updates on the situation at the Simkin Centre. Following is a chronological review of those updates:
Oct. 23 – one more resident tests positive for COVID
Oct. 24 – death reported of the first resident who tested positive for COVID
Oct. 29 – 3rd resident tests positive
Oct. 31 – 2nd death of a resident from COVID reported
Nov. 2 – a nurse working in the COVID unit tests positive
Nov. 2 – another staff member (on Weinberg 2) tests positive
Nov. 2 – a staff member (on Weinberg 3) tests positive
Nov. 3 – a staff member (on Weinberg 3) tests positive
Nov. 4 – all residents on Weinberg 2 & 3 had proactive asymptomatic COVID swabs taken on Nov 2. In total, Weinberg 2 has 5 asymptomatic positive test results.
Nov. 6 – staff member on Simkin 1 tests positive
Nov. 9 – family members who are willing and able to provide care to residents are asked to volunteer
Nov 11 – 2 residents from Weinberg 2 test positive
Nov. 12 – 2 staff members test positive, 1 from Simkin 1, 1 from Simkin 2
Nov. 13 – resident from Weinberg 2 tests positive
Nov. 14 – resident from Simkin 1 tests positive
Nov. 15 – 3rd death of a resident reported
Nov. 15 – 4th death of a resident reported
Nov. 16 – staff member who worked on Weinberg 1 and Simkin 2 tests positive
Nov. 18 – staff member from Weinberg 1 tests positive
Nov. 18 – resident from Weinberg 2 tests positive
Nov. 19 – staff member who worked on Weinberg 2 and Simkin 2 tests positive
Nov. 19 – resident from Simkin 1 tests positive
Nov. 22 – 3 residents from Weinberg 1 test positive
Nov. 23 – staff member who worked on Weinberg 2 and Simkin 2 tests positive
Nov. 24 – 5th death of a resident reported
Nov. 25 – 6th & 7th deaths of residents reported; 3 more residents test positive – 1 from Simkin 1, 1 from Weinberg 1, and 1 from Simkin 2
Nov. 26 – staff member tests positive but did not work during period of communicability. 8th death of resident
Nov. 30 – 2 staff from Weinberg 1 test positive; 1 more staff member tested positive but did not work at the Centre during period of communicability
Dec. 1 – 2 residents from Weinberg 1 and 2 residents from Simkin 1 test positive
Dec 2 – 1 resident discharged from Covid Recovery Unit; 3 more to be discharged Dec. 3
Dec. 4 – 1 resident discharged from Covid Recovery Unit; 1 resident from Weinberg 1 tests positive
Dec. 9 – 9th death of a resident reported
Dec. 11 – 10 death of a resident reported; 2 residents discharged from Covid Recovery Unit
Dec. 14 – resident who was hospitablized passes away; remaining resident in Covid Recovery Unit discharged
As of Dec. 11
Total number of staff to test positive – 21
Total number of residents to test positive: 29
Total number of deaths of residents – 11
Total number of active cases of residents -0
Total number of recovered residents – 18
On Nov. 20 the Simkin Centre issued a call for volunteers:
Volunteers Needed
We are in need of training a team of volunteers to feed our residents, both during lunch (11:45 am-1:00 pm) and supper (4:45 pm -6:00 pm).
The Simkin Centre has positive cases of Covid-19. By volunteering you acknowledge and understand the risks involved in entering the Centre. We understand that this might be a difficult decision for you. However, based on previous outbreaks in other provincial jurisdictions, we’ve learned that a lack of staffing can contribute to issues with the proper feeding of Residents in Personal Care Homes. This extra assistance is required immediately and our goal is to ensure that our Residents are cared for.
Please contact me if you are interested in participating in a 2 hour orientation on feeding/swallowing. The orientation will take place at The Simkin Centre on Tuesday, November 24th at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided. Please note – part of the orientation will include hands on experience in feeding a Resident, hand hygiene, and donning and doffing.
Thank you for your commitment to our Residents.
Please contact Alissa Minaker
(Acting Volunteer/Companion Coordinator) at 204-589-9008 or
Alissa.minaker@simkincentre.ca
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Local News
First year medical student Tim Rozovsky founds new association for local Jewish medical students
By MYRON LOVE In the face of a concerning surge in antisemitism over the past nearly three years, I am happy to report a good news story in that regard. Tim Rozovsky, the founder of the new Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba, reports that he and his fellow Jewish students enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine are not experiencing any significant issues involving antisemitism.
Hopefully, the matter of the notorious Med school Valedictorian who used his podium to attack Israel was a one-off.
“My goal in forming the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba,” says the first year medical student, “was to create a safe, supportive environment for my fellow Jewish medical students.”
He reports that the current first year class at the school has eight Jewish students – an increase over more recent years – with maybe a dozen more in the other years.
For a new medical student, Rozovsky already has an impressive resume. He was born in Russia and grew up in Israel. After the completion of his army service in 2018, the then-22-year-old rejoined his parents, Dr. Katya and Alexander, who had moved to Winnipeg a few years before.
Prior to coming to Winnipeg, Rozovsky had completed a personal trainer program out of The Academic College at Wingate in Jerusalem. Some readers may know the young man from his work as a Master Personal Trainer at the Rady JCC.
Shortly after arriving here, he enrolled in a kinesiology program at the University of Winnipeg. He graduated with a BKin Honours in 2023 and did post graduate work at the University of Manitoba. Last fall, he received his MSc in Physiology and Pathophysiology – earning two gold medals, along with 32 awards and scholarships in the process.
Rozovsky says that it was his mother who inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Katya Rozovsky is an associate professor at the University of Manitoba and an attending radiologist, specializing in pediatric diagnostic imaging.
(Tim also adds that his wife, Irina Gelzin, whom he married about a year ago, is training to be a nurse.)
Insofar as the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba is concerned, Rozovky reports that the group gets together multiple times a year. One of its programs was a joint Chanukah celebration with the Jewish Physicians Association of Manitoba.
There was also a joint program with the Christian Medical and Dental Students’ Association of Manitoba.
“More recently, we have been helping prospective Jewish medical students with their applications,” he says. “Hopefully we will be able to get together over the summer with the incoming Jewish students.”
As to his own future plans, Rozovsky notes that it is too early for him to be deciding on a specialty. “My goal,” he says, “is to work hard and get good grades and become the best doctor that I can be.”
Local News
Gray Academy to Represent Manitoba at National Reach for the Top Competition
By NOAH STRAUSS Posted June 6) Gray Academy’s Reach for the Top team is headed to Moncton, New Brunswick, to represent Manitoba at the National Reach for the Top tournament.
Reach for the Top is a Canadian school league that quizzes teenagers on a variety of different topics, from science and history to pop culture. Reach started out in 1961 in Vancouver, where a local CBC station broadcasted the new show; it eventually became a national broadcast starting in 1966. Alex Trebek, who famously hosted Jeopardy!, started out by hosting Reach for the Top.
Gray Academy’s very own team, made up of Grade 7 and 8 students, will travel to Moncton, New Brunswick, to compete as Team Manitoba. By winning the provincial Reach tournament, they secured their spot in the national competition.
Faculty members at Gray Academy are very supportive of the program. The Jewish Post spoke with three different staff members at the school. Coach and high school teacher Danielle Miller says she is excited for the trip; although she will not be accompanying the team herself, shehas coached them all year.
“This year we had over 20 students come to the club to join us, they practice twice a cycle at lunch,” Miller said. Due to the large turnout this year, two teams had to be formed. At lunch practices, students split into two teams of four where each player has a buzzer. The two teams compete to see who can answer the most questions correctly.
One of the two teams did exceptionally well at various tournaments throughout the year and will be traveling to nationals as the sole team representing Manitoba.
Co-coach Micah Doerksen described Reach as a great academic competition where young minds are tested on various topics through quick,fast-paced questions.
High school guidance counselor Lindsey Leipsic said, “We have athletes, non-athletes, we have students who are really involved and students who are not as involved at school, and we have quiet leaders, and we’ve seen friendships be built in Reach.” Some of her favorite memories of Reach involve seeing students from across Winnipeg come to Gray Academy and bond with one another. Lev Chisick, who is competing at nationals, agreed, saying, “Moncton is going to strengthen our school spirit and make us a better team.”
As the junior team makes their way to Moncton, the senior team will head to provincials. Later this week, students from the senior team will travel to Virden, Manitoba, to compete at the provincial level. The team qualified after placing high enough at their most recent tournament, which took place at St. Paul’s.
Confidence is high as the school heads into these final tournaments. When Nath Goldenberg, who is also competing at nationals, was asked what he is most looking forward to, his answer was short and sweet:“Winning.”

