News

Significant jump in cases reported in the region over the past two weeks. Following the laboratory confirmation of eight cases of COVID-19 in the Southwestern Public Health region over a two-week period, the Medical Officer of Health urges community members to behave as though everyone is a possible source of infection.

St. Thomas, ON: Yesterday, the Province of Ontario amended the Smoke-free Ontario Act, 2017 to further address the prevalence of youth vaping. These amendments strengthen the restrictions on youth access to flavoured and high nicotine vapour products to protect youth under 19 years of age from the harms associated with vaping.

Southwestern Public Health’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Joyce Lock, is asking day trippers to enjoy their return to the region’s beaches – but to always keep safety in mind to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Local health experts advise continued public health practices until treatments and vaccinations are widely available. As Ontario continues to loosen restrictions and re-open the economy, officials at Southwestern Public Health caution that COVID-19 will be an indefinite threat.

As of May 22, 7 health care workers have been confirmed positive with the virus. On Monday, a single case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in a health care worker at Secord Trails Care Community.

Today, Southwestern Public Health issued its first heat advisory of the year which also happens to be the first local heat advisory issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. A heat warning or extended heat warning is issued when prolonged exposure to outdoor conditions could prove dangerous to public health.

Warm weather has arrived and with it comes important seasonal work by area growers. As a largely rural public health unit, Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) has long worked with area farmers on matters related to the health and safety of the seasonal workers that come to Elgin and Oxford Counties to assist with the growing season.

Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health for Southwestern Public Health has confirmed the second positive case of COVID-19 in the region. A male in his 30s tested positive for COVID-19 after close contact with someone outside the region who has the virus. He is a resident of Oxford County.

All sectors working together to protect the health of the community. Southwestern Public Health is working with all sectors – public institutions, local government, private employers and non-profits to ensure a thoughtful, proactive and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the first death related to novel coronavirus in the region served by the health unit Southwestern Public Health has received notification that the death of an individual at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital was related to COVID-19. This is the first such death in Elgin County.