News

39% of Southwestern Public Health residents report risky alcohol consumption

Canada’s new Guidance on Alcohol and Health states even a small amount of alcohol can be damaging to health

Today the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction finalized Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health with updated thresholds for low-, moderate-, and high-risk alcohol use. While local data shows most adults in the Southwestern Public Health region already follow the new guidance, nearly 4 in 10 regularly put their health at risk.

As a replacement to...

Nourish Kids Now in 2023: Lend your voice

The Coalition for Healthy School Food asking residents to engage MPs on universal school food program

Cost-shared healthy food programs are currently offered at 67 schools in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas

Southwestern Public Health supports The Coalition for Healthy School Food’s Nourish Kids Now campaign, which encourages local Members of Parliament to put healthy food on the 2023 federal budget agenda.

In 2022, 67 schools in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St...

Enhanced COVID-19 Dashboard Launched

MEDIA RELEASE

November 23, 2022

Southwestern Public Health Releases New Dashboard that Helps Community Assess COVID Risk

Rather than simply providing raw data, the dashboard now interprets that data and offers an assessment of risk to the local community

Today, Southwestern Public Health, the public health unit serving the 215,000 residents of Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas, is launching an enhanced COVID-19 dashboard. The new data tool not only showcases...

SWPH MOH Strongly Recommends Masking Indoors to Prevent Triple Threat of Respiratory Viruses

MEDIA RELEASE

November 14, 2022

SWPH Medical Officer of Health Strongly Recommends Masking in Indoor Settings to Prevent Triple Threat of Respiratory Viruses

Ontario is experiencing an unprecedented number of children fighting RSV, COVID-19 and Influenza in its hospitals.

As an adult, it can be easy to downplay a stuffy nose or sore throat as a mild cold. However, as Ontario experiences an early and severe influenza surge, coupled with COVID-19 and the extremely contagious RSV virus, it’s time for...

SWPH Seeks Cooperation with Animal Bite Investigations

MEDIA RELEASE

November 3, 2022

Public health inspectors seek cooperation in the investigation of animal bites

It takes only a few minutes of your time to assist in an investigation that will reduce the risk of someone being infected with rabies, a virus that is always fatal.

 Under Ontario’s Health Promotion and Protection Act, public health is legislated to investigate all reported animal exposures, such as bites or scratches, to ensure that the person who has been injured is not...

First lab confirmed cases of influenza identified

NEWS

October 27, 2022

First lab confirmed cases of influenza identified in Southwestern Public Health region

This week Southwestern Public Health received notification of two lab-confirmed cases of influenza A – the first two cases of the 2022/23 season. Both cases are in young children residing in Oxford County.

These confirmed cases are an indication that influenza is circulating within our community. Surrounding health units are also experiencing sporadic activity.

“The influenza...