News

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...

Medical Officers of Health Recommend Caution During the Holidays as Case Numbers Continue to Climb

St. Thomas, ON – Increasing case numbers and the arrival of the Omicron variant have prompted area Medical Officers of Health to issue a letter outlining recommendations for how residents can protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19 during the holidays.

Huron Perth Public Health’s Dr. Miriam Klassen, Southwestern Public Health’s Dr. Joyce Lock and the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Alex Summers issued the joint statement today. The letter does not...

Enhanced Public Health Measures Aimed at Rising COVID Case Count

Today, Southwestern Public Health announced that they will issue a Letter of Instruction requiring the reinstatement of capacity limits to promote physical distancing in certain indoor settings. These restrictions are directed specifically at municipalities with a weekly incidence rate of 80 cases per 100,000 people or greater and/or vaccination rates of fewer than 80% of 12+ fully vaccinated.

“For several weeks the cases in our region have risen steadily. Our test percent positivity, our number...

Southwestern Public Health asks for information in dog biting incident

Southwestern Public Health is seeking more information related to a dog biting incident that took place in South-West Oxford over the weekend.

On Sunday, November 7, 2021, at approximately 9:30 a.m., an individual on a bicycle was approached by a dog and its two owners and was bit as he was riding by. The dog appeared to be a young German Shepard, and its owners were a male and female wearing sunglasses and dark coats.

The incident took place in on Zora Line between Queen Street and Embro Street...

Province Expanding Booster Eligibility to More Ontarians

Starting today, November 3, additional high-risk groups will be eligible to book their COVID-19 booster dose if at least six months have passed since their last dose.

• Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier);
• Health care workers and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers);
• Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one...