Southwestern Public Health Well Supported by Partners in the Fight Against Novel Coronavirus

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 educators, childcare providers and community services. We’re sharing the most recent guidelines, providing guidance, problem solving, coordinating our responses, and sharing resources. In this region, we are very fortunate to have committed and collaborative partners who know how to roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to get the job done,” says Cynthia St. John, CEO.

As with the outbreak of any infectious disease, Southwestern Public Health is responsible for disseminating the best, most recent infection prevention and control measures, reporting cases of infection to the community, and tracking and monitoring cases and their close contacts. Being a lead agency in a pandemic response is exactly what a public health unit is set up to do.

“Southwestern Public health is still offering essential services. All other staff have been redeployed to support our COVID-19 response. We’re currently fielding up to 400 calls a day, as well as receiving questions through social media and email and working with local journalists to get important information out. Our focus is on tracking information from the local, provincial and federal government and translating that into action for the local community. Our goal is to support this community with expert guidance during a very difficult and unprecedented time” adds St. John.

About Southwestern Public Health

Southwestern Public Health works with its partners to ensure the health of the whole community. Our programs respond to public health emergencies; promote healthy lifestyles; help prevent injuries, illness and disease in the community; and promote positive change and social conditions that improve health. Southwestern Public Health delivers mandated programs under the Ontario Public Health Standards and is regulated by the Ontario Health Promotion and Protection Act. The health unit maintains primary locations in Woodstock and St. Thomas. For more information, visit www.swpublichealth.ca.

Spokesperson

Cynthia St. John Chief Executive Officer | Southwestern Public Health

Contacts

Megan Cornwell Communications Manager | Southwestern Public Health 519.539.9800, ext. 1259 | Mobile 519-320-0819 mcornwell@swpublichealth.ca