News

MOH Urges Booster Doses Now

Media Release

January 19, 2022

Local Medical Officer of Health Urges Residents to Get Boosted, Thousands of Appointments Available

Public Health Ontario has recently released data indicating that unvaccinated adults 60 years of age or older were approximately 19.0 times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 compared to adults 60 years of age and older with a third dose.

Southwestern Public Health is urging the more than 26,000 residents, aged 50+, with two but not three doses, to book their...

Holiday Greeting

2021 is quickly coming to a close and we find ourselves in the second holiday season of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since this time last year, we have learned so much about this virus, how it transmits, and how we can protect ourselves and our loved ones. Across the region, more than 80% of those eligible have been vaccinated against COVID-19, which is our best protection from serious illness.

Yet it is important to acknowledge that we are not where we want to be right now. Many of us long for a time...

Ages 18+ Eligible to Book COVID-19 Booster Appointment

In the face of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, as of 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 20, individuals aged 18 and older are eligible to book a COVID-19 booster dose appointment at Southwestern Public Health mass vaccination clinics if three months (84 days)have passed since their second dose.

Ontario has recommended third doses to increase immune response against the Omicron variant.

Appointments are required. Anyone who presents to a public health vaccination clinic without an appointment will...

SWPH Seeks Information in Dog Bite Incident

Southwestern Public Health is seeking more information related to a dog biting incident that took place in Tillsonburg yesterday evening.

On Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at approximately 6:30-7:00 p.m, an individual was walking through the park and was bit by an off-leash dog. The dog is described as a rottweiler/border collie mix and the owner is described as a male with a beard and a blue coat.

The incident took place around the Kolin Smith Memorial Skate Park and Tillsonburg Dog Park.

If you...

Urgency Needed to Prevent Omicron Spread

Southwestern Public Health is urgently appealing to the public to help prevent the spread of Omicron.

The COVID-19 Omicron variant is more transmissible than previous COVID-19 variants, including the Delta variant. This increased transmissibility is expected to put additional strain on an already taxed health care system, with an expected increase in hospitalizations over the weeks ahead.

The best protection against mounting case counts and subsequent hospitalizations is using multiple public health...

COVID-19 Cases in Individuals Experiencing Homelessness in St. Thomas

Cases of COVID-19 have been rising steadily across the region over the past six weeks.

The number of cases per 100,000 people and the percent test positivity are among the highest in the province. There are cases in every age group and outbreaks in schools, workplaces, childcare centres, and places of worship. This week, a cluster of approximately ten confirmed or probable cases among people experiencing homelessness was identified in the City of St. Thomas.

The City of St. Thomas is working with...