Quick Links
- COVID-19 Dashboard
- COVID-19 Case Definition
- COVID-19 Guidance Documents
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- COVID-19 Vaccine Order Forms
- COVID-19 Screening and Assessment
- COVID-19 Testing
- COVID-19 Reporting
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Routine Auditing
- Signage
- Additional Resources
COVID-19 Case Definition
Refer to COVID-19 Case Definition, Ontario. Check frequently for updates.
Key guidance documents for health care providers
UPDATE: As of October 1, guidance about COVID-19 as it pertains to international travel has changed. Visit Travel.gc.ca for the most updated guidance related to travel to and from Canada.
- COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool
- COVID-19 Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care Workers and Health Care Entities
- Sector-based Guidance Documents for Healthcare (Ministry of Health)
- COVID-19 Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge Management of Critical Staffing Shortages in High-Risk Settings (Ministry of Health)
Guidance documents for long-term care and retirement homes
UPDATE: As of October 1, guidance about COVID-19 as it pertains to international travel has changed. Visit Travel.gc.ca for the most updated guidance related to travel to and from Canada.
- COVID-19 Guidance: Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes for Public Health Units (Ontario)
- COVID-19: Visiting Long-term Care Homes (Ontario)
- COVID-19 Screening Tool for Long Term Care and Retirement Homes (Ontario)
- COVID-19: Updated Infection Prevention and Control for Long Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes (Public Health Ontario)
- Universal Masking in Health Care Settings (Public Health Ontario)
- Public Health Ontario Long Term Care Resources
Vaccine Order and Reporting Forms
- Vaccine Order Form - Oxford Primary Care Providers
- Vaccine Order Form - Oxford Long Term Care and Retirement Homes
- End of Day Reporting Form - Oxford
- Vaccine Order Form - Elgin St. Thomas Primary Care Providers
- Vaccine Order Form - Elgin St. Thomas Long Term Care and Retirement Homes
- End of Day Reporting Form - Elgin St. Thomas
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
For general COVID-19 vaccine information, updates and frequently asked questions, please visit our COVID-19 Vaccine web page. For weekly health care provider updates, please check our Alerts, Advisories and Information Updates.
- Ministry of Health - COVID-19 Vaccine-Relevant Information and Planning (Updated Resources)
- Health Canada - Reported Side Effects Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Canada (Weekly)
- Public Health Ontario - COVID-19 Vaccines (includes AEFI Reporting and Surveillance Reports)
- NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunizations) - Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 Vaccine
- NACI - Statements and Publications (General)
- Other Relevant Vaccine Information & Forms:
- Ministry of Health - Vaccine Under 5 Healthcare Provider Q&A Guide
- Ontario Family Physicians - COVID-19 Vaccine for Under 5 Q&A Guide
- SWPH: Aftercare Sheet for Ages 5+ // SWPH: Simplified Version with Graphics
- Ministry of Health - COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet // Youth Version (Ages 12-17) // Child Version (Ages 5-11)
- SWPH: Third-Dose Referral Form
- SWPH: Myocarditis and Pericarditis Rapid Review (November 2021)
COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Exemptions
Southwestern Public Health will only receive requests for COVID-19 vaccine medical exemptions from registered health care professionals. Click here for the medical exemption form. Completed forms must be faxed to 519-633-0468 and make take up to 7 business days to adjudicate the request.
Please refer to the guidance document before completing a request.
COVID-19 Screening and Assessment
UPDATE: As of October 1, guidance about COVID-19 as it pertains to international travel has changed. Visit Travel.gc.ca for the most updated guidance related to travel to and from Canada.
- COVID-19 Online Self-Assessment Tool
- COVID-19 Patient Screening Guidance Document
- COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms
- COVID-19 Assessment Centres
COVID-19 Testing
Downloadable Template: Proof of Negative Antigen Test for Physicians in Long-Term Care Settings
- Ministry of Health Testing Guidance
- COVID-19 Sample Collection
- Submitting a Sample (COVID-19 Requisition)
- COVID-19 Test Requisition (How to Complete)
- COVID-19 Laboratory Testing Q&As (Public Health Ontario)
- Collecting a NP Swab (Video)
- Ordering Supplies
COVID-19 Outpatient Antiviral Treatments
- Clinical Use Guidance (Ontario Science Table)
- Oxford/Woodstock Referrals: Woodstock General Hospital - By appointment only. Call 1-855-905-6148 (Monday to Sunday, 8AM to 4PM).
- Elgin/St. Thomas Referrals: St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital - Patients may be referred by their primary care provider or be directed to/chose to self-refer by calling 519-631-2020 ext. 6210. Paxlovid Prescription Form
- Additional Option for Referrals: London Health Sciences Centre - Paxlovid Referral Form ; Prescription Form
- Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid): What Prescribers and Pharmacists Need to Know (Ontario Science Table)
- Script to support staff in identifying patients who may be eligible for treatment (Health Quality Ontario)
- Paxlovid monograph (Health Canada)
COVID-19 Reporting
Call Southwestern Public Health:
Toll Free: 1-800-922-0096
St. Thomas Site: 519-631-9900
Woodstock Site: 519-421-9901
- COVID-19 ARI Reportable Disease Form - Fillable (PDF)
- COVID-19 ARI Reportable Disease Form - Print (PDF)
Infection prevention and control
- Directive #5 for Hospital and LTCH Settings (Ontario Health)
- Infection Prevention and Control Fundamentals – Training Resources (Public Health Ontario)
- Updated IPAC Measures for COVID-19 (Public Health Ontario)
- Video: Donning Full PPE for Health Care Workers (Public Health Ontario)
- Video: Doffing Full PPE for Health Care Workers (Public Health Ontario)
- COVID-19 Universal Masking Use in Health Care Settings (Public Health Ontario)
- Online Learning Modules: Infection Prevention and Control
- Routine Practices (Public Health Ontario)
- Best Practices for Hand Hygiene in Health Care Settings (Public Health Ontario)
- Cleaning and Disinfection in Public Spaces (Public Health Ontario)
- Elgin-Oxford IPAC Support & Decision Process
Routine Auditing
- Auditing tool (Public Health Ontario)
- Hand Hygiene Auditing Information (Public Health Ontario)
- PPE Auditing Information (Public Health Ontario)
Signage
- Patients Sign
- Face Covering Required Poster
- Physical Distancing Poster
- How to Wash Your Hands Poster
- How to Clean Your Hands Poster
- COVID-19 Mental Health Poster
Additional resources
- Ministry of Health COVID-19 Website
- Public Health Ontario: COVID-19 Health Care Resources
- Public Health Ontario: Synopsis of Key Articles COVID-19
- Public Health Ontario: Daily Literature Review
- Ontario College of Family Physicians
- Coping with Stress
- Tip Sheets for higher-risk and essential occupations and industries (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)
- Working to Combat Stigma during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- COVID-19 Treatments: Monoclonal Study - Referral Form