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Southwestern Public Health Medical Officer of Health Asks That Only Symptomatic Residents Get Tested
Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 09:56 AM
High demand for testing leads to long wait times and stress on local health care resources
Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health, has issued a statement for the residents of Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas.
“We ask that residents book appointments for testing only if they have a symptom (s) of COVID19, or if they have been instructed by public health or a health care provider to get tested. The return to school and the recent increase in cases across the region has led...
Southwestern Public Health Medical Officer of Health Warns Community COVID-19 Still Around
Posted on Monday, July 20, 2020 11:15 AM
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.
“As a community, we’re tired. We want to let our guard down, but we can’t. There are six active cases in our region. They range in age from teens to mid 50s. While the source of infection...
Province Amends Smoke-Free Ontario Act Protecting Youth from Vaping
Posted on Thursday, July 02, 2020 11:14 AM
Amendments strengthen the restrictions on youth access to flavoured and high nicotine vapour products
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. The amendments respond to parental, public, and health stakeholder’s concerns...
Southwestern Public Heath Region Welcomes Beach-Goers and Reminds Them to Keep Safety in Mind
Posted on Monday, June 22, 2020 11:12 AM
Medical Officer of Health offers tips on keeping COVID-19 at bay while enjoying regional beaches
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.
The Southwestern Public Health region, which includes Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas, moved into Ontario’s Phase 2 reopening on June 12. Restaurant patios, salons,...
Southwestern Public Health expects COVID-19 measures to be our ‘new normal’
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 10:06 AM
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.
Based on global epidemiology models and known attributes of coronaviruses, it is probable the COVID-19 virus will continue to spread. The World Health Organization issued a warning on May 13 that novel-coronavirus will likely...
Southwestern Public Health Issues First Heat Advisory of Year and First During Pandemic
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 09:09 AM
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. Today’s heat warning is based on forecasted temperatures around 30°C this afternoon, with a similar forecast for Wednesday in the City of St. Thomas, Elgin County and Oxford County. Humidex...
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