News

Southwestern Public Health Seeking Information on Dog Biting Incident

Southwestern Public Health is looking for additional information related to a dog biting incident at the Henry Street Off-Leash Dog Park near Southside Park in Woodstock.

On Saturday, October 2, 2021, the owner of a chihuahua entered the park and the dog was attacked by a 70-80 pound (assumed Collie/Shepard) dog. While the owner of the chihuahua tried to get his dog away from the larger dog, the larger dog bit him.

 If you have any information about this incident, please contact Southwestern...

September 30 is Truth and Reconciliation Day

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established on the first of June 2008 to document the history and impacts of the residential schools on Canada's Indigenous communities. In the Commission’s Final Report, one of the ninety-four calls to action included establishing a statutory holiday. 

The Government of Canada recently passed legislation to designate September 30 a federal holiday called National Truth and Reconciliation Day. It is a day set aside for recognizing...

SWPH Board of Health Receives Retirement Notice from Dr. Joyce Lock

On September 9, the Southwestern Public Health Board of Health accepted a notice of retirement from Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health.   

Dr. Lock has made considerable contributions to the health and well-being of all those living in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas since joining public health in 2014. Throughout Dr. Lock’s tenure with SWPH, she further established critical relationships within primary care, hospitals, and the larger health...

Southwestern Public Health Looking for Dog in New Biting Incident

A new dog biting incident has taken place in the Southwestern Public Health region.

The incident took place in the early morning of September 1 between 2:00 and 2:30 a.m. in St. Thomas. The location was Centre Street, between Queen and Metcalfe Streets. The dog was being walked by a male when it bit another person. The owner noted that the dog was a rescue. The dog is described as medium to large, with floppy ears.

Southwestern Public Health is seeking information about the incident to locate the...

Southwestern Public Health Seeks Information About Dog Biting Incident

Southwestern Public Health is looking for additional information related to a dog biting incident at Victoria Park Community Centre in Ingersoll.

On Monday, September 6, 2021, at approximately 12:30 p.m., an off-leash dog began chasing another dog. A male bystander attempted to help the owner harness the dog and was bit in the process. The dog is described as tan coloured, likely a Sheppard-husky mix. The owner of the dog is female aged in her 20s or 30s.

If you have any information about this incident,...

Southwestern Public Health hosting multiple vaccine pop-up clinics at local schools

Southwestern Public Health is hosting multiple COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinics to encourage a healthy start to the school year.

As of August 25, 66% of individuals aged 12-19 have been vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and only 54% have been fully vaccinated. With less than two weeks remaining before the start of school, increasing these rates is critical for preventing COVID-related absences from in-class learning.

“We can all agree that students belong in the classroom. We...