News

All sectors working together to protect the health of the community.

Southwestern Public Health is working with all sectors – public institutions, local government, private employers and non-profits to ensure a thoughtful, proactive and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are actively participating at tables with municipalities, first responders, business leaders, long term care homes, health care professionals, hospitals, and so many others. We’re also in regular contact with local...

This is the first death related to novel coronavirus in the region served by the health unit

Southwestern Public Health has received notification that the death of an individual at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital was related to COVID-19. This is the first such death in Elgin County.

The individual, a female in her late 80s, was infected via a close contact.

“We are deeply saddened by this loss of life and offer our condolences to their loved ones,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health....

This is the first case of novel coronavirus confirmed in Oxford County, Elgin County or the City of St. Thomas

Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health for Southwestern Public Health has confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in the region. A male in his 30s tested positive for COVID-19 after close contact with someone outside the region who has the virus.

This individual was assessed, tested and released by London Heath Sciences Centre. They are now in self-isolation at home and being followed...

The Brant County Health Unit has a laboratory confirmed case of novel coronavirus (COVID19) for a resident of Brant County. The woman, who was assessed at Brant Community Health Care System, is a health care worker at Woodstock Hospital.

The woman is in her 40s and had recently travelled to Mexico. Between March 9 to 11 she reported to work, and during her shift on March 11, she became symptomatic and immediately left work to self-isolate at home. This individual’s duties involve limited patient...

Heath care partners from across the region all working with public health to prevent local outbreak.

March 12, 2020

Southwestern Public Health is working closely with community partners including hospitals, municipalities and long-term care homes to assist health partners and our community to respond to COVID-19, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization yesterday.

Under Ontario’s Public Health Standards, each of the province’s 34 public health units are charged with effectively detecting,...