Southwestern Public Health Responding to Increase in Cases within Norwich Township

November 15, 2020

On the heels of a decision by the Rehoboth Christian School in Norwich, Ontario to voluntarily close its doors following a number of cases of COVID-19 in the school community, Southwestern Public Health is providing the community with an update about the 11 confirmed positive cases in the Norwich region.

“There is not one source of transmission or one event to explain this increase in cases. As we have seen across the province, ups and downs in cases are to be expected,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health for Southwestern Public Health.

“We have new cases associated with schools, churches and workplaces. We have cases within family groupings. Today we declared an outbreak at Bethany Care Home, a small retirement home in Norwich. Now we are employing a variety of strategies to contain the spread of the virus and reverse the upward trend. We’re working with community leaders, schools, churches and those who care for the seniors and our most vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection.”

The public health unit’s Medical Officer of Health continues to emphasize physical distancing, wearing of a face-covering, frequent handwashing and staying home when unwell. Due to the number of cases across the province and the identified COVID-19 hotspots, non-essential travel among regions is discouraged.

The health unit reminds the community that all confirmed positive cases are posted to the health unit’s website and that data is updated daily at noon.

About Southwestern Public Health

Southwestern Public Health works with its partners to ensure the health of the whole community. Our programs respond to public health emergencies; promote healthy lifestyles; help prevent injuries, illness and disease in the community; and promote positive change and social conditions that improve health. Southwestern Public Health delivers mandated programs under the Ontario Public Health Standards and is regulated by the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act. The health unit maintains primary locations in Woodstock and St. Thomas. For more information, visit www.swpublichealth.ca.

Contacts

Megan Cornwell
Communications Manager | Southwestern Public Health
519-631-9900 x 1259 | 1-800-922-0096
mcornwell@swpublichealth.ca