News

SWPH Confirms First Block of Appointments for Ages 80+ Booked on First Day

Limited appointments still available for Indigenous 55+ and eligible health care workers

Southwestern Public Heath wants the community to know that while the first block of appointments for those aged 80 and over have been booked for the week of March 15, it is expected 5,000 new appointments will be available to eligible individuals for the week of March 22.

“As expected, there was a tremendous response to the announcement that appointments were available in St. Thomas and in Woodstock. For...

SWPH Vaccine Clinic Booking Open Tomorrow, March 9

Public Service Announcement

March 8, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Appointment Bookings Open Tuesday March 9 at 8 am

Southwestern Public Health is very excited to share that eligible Oxford County, Elgin County and City of St. Thomas residents may book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine starting Tuesday March 9, 2021 at 8 am.

Appointments are available at the new Southwestern Public Health region sites – Goff Hall in Woodstock (381 Finkle Street) and St. Thomas-Elgin Memorial Arena in St. Thomas...

COVID-19 Variant of Concern Identified in SWPH Region

Media Statement

March 4, 2021

COVID-19 Variant of Concern Identified in Region Served by Southwestern Public Health

Today, Southwestern Public Health confirmed that routine laboratory testing has identified a COVID-19 variant in two residents. Both cases live within a single residence and both followed strict self-isolation requirements and are now considered resolved. It is believed that the virus was acquired through out-of-country travel.

A COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC) is a mutation of the...

SWPH’s Local COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Set to Open Mid March

Residents of Elgin County, Oxford County, and the City of St. Thomas will soon have access to local COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Set to open the week of March 15, Southwestern Public Health will offer one main vaccination site in each county – St. Thomas-Elgin Memorial Arena in St. Thomas, and the Community Complex - Goff Hall in Woodstock. Eligible individuals can choose from either site to receive their vaccine.

Once these two main sites are up-and-running and as more vaccine arrives, the health unit...

First Dose Vaccinations Expanded to Additional Priority Groups

With increased vaccine supply in the region, and guidance from the Province, Middlesex-London Health Unit, Southwestern Public Health, and Huron Perth Public Health are expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination to additional priority groups identified in the first Phase of Ontario’s Vaccination Plan.

Starting today, eligibility includes community members who are 80 years of age and older (born in 1941 or earlier) and Indigenous adults who are 55 years of age and older.

“With the addition of...

Southwestern Public Health issues cold weather alert March 1

March 1, 2021 at 11:30 AM

Cold temperatures expected to begin in the afternoon on March 1 and continuing into the morning on March 2.

Southwestern Public Health issues cold weather alerts when Environment Canada forecasts an air temperature below -15˚C or a wind chill below -20˚C.

Environment Canada is forecasting cold temperatures throughout SWPH region beginning this afternoon with an overnight low temperature of -12˚C and a windchill of -20˚C. These cold temperatures are expected to continue into...