News

COVID-19 vaccine clinics expanding again in the Southwestern Public Health region

Southwestern Public Health is making updates to its COVID-19 vaccine clinics to prepare to welcome children aged five to 11 and expanded third doses, once these groups become eligible by way of Ontario’s Ministry of Health.

“We will be ready,” says Jaime Fletcher, the Program Manager leading the COVID-19 vaccine efforts in Elgin County, Oxford County, and City of St. Thomas. “We know what is needed to quickly respond to expanded eligibility, and we have the teams and logistics in place again to be...

Southwestern Public Health Seeking Information on Dog Bite Incident

Southwestern Public Health is looking for additional information related to a dog biting incident that occurred on Devonshire Road in Tillsonburg.

On Sunday, October 17, around 4:45 p.m., an individual was walking their dog when another dog described as “large, light brown, and with long fur”, ran up and bit them. The dog who bit the individual did not appear to have an owner nearby.

If you have any information on a dog matching this description that may have been running alone at this time, please...

Message from Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health

October 13, 2021

To the Residents of Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas

The cases of COVID-19 in the Southwestern Public Health region are rising again. They are rising at a time when the 7-day average number of cases in Ontario is declining.  

Most active cases in our region are in people under the age of 40 who are unvaccinated. Many people testing positive for COVID have no known exposure for COVID – they do not know where or how they became ill.

Before you...

Proof of vaccination is soon required for ages 12+ at sport and recreation facilities

Huron Perth Public Health, the Middlesex-London Health Unit and Southwestern Public Health announced additional proof of vaccination requirements today for recreational facilities used for organized sports. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will now be required for anyone over the age of 12 who enters an indoor area of a sports or recreational fitness facility to participate in, coach, officiate, or watch organized sport. The requirement will come into effect on October 31st.

The decision to extend...

An Open Letter to the Community in Oxford County

At the time of writing – October 4, 2021 – 80% of Ontario’s population aged twelve and over is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The journey to this remarkable accomplishment began in mid December 2020 and has required the collective effort of all levels of government, manufacturing, health care organizations and professionals, and citizens. In an unprecedented example of shared purpose, significant obstacles were overcome to give Ontario one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.

Responding...

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...