Southwestern Public Health works with group homes, shelters, supportive housing, and hospices across Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas to prevent, monitor, investigate and manage the spread of infectious diseases.
In this section, congregate setting staff will find information and resources on:
- COVID-19 Resources
- Key Guidance for Congregate Settings
- Infection Prevention and Control in Congregate Settings
COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- For general COVID-19 vaccine information, updates and frequently asked questions, please visit our COVID-19 Vaccine webpage. 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)
COVID-19 Screening and Assessment
- COVID-19 Online Self-Assessment Tool
- COVID-19 Patient Screening Guidance Document
- COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms
COVID-19 Reporting
Contact Southwestern Public Health Infectious Disease Team and request your outbreak management representative:
Toll Free: 1-800-922-0096
St. Thomas Site: 519-631-9900
Woodstock Site: 519-421-9901
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
- Tip Sheets for higher-risk and essential occupations and industries (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)
Key Guidance for Congregate Settings
- COVID-19 Guidance: Congregate Living for Vulnerable Populations
- COVID-19 Guidance for MCCSS-funded and Licensed Congregate Living Settings
- COVID-19 Resources for Congregate Living Settings: (Public Health Ontario)
- HVAC Systems and COVID-19
- Updated IPAC Recommendations for use of PPE for COVID-19 (Public Health Ontario)
- Ontario Health Regional COVID-19 Critical Supplies Portal
IPAC Checklists for Congregate Living Settings
- Checklist - Lower Risk Congregate Living Settings
- Checklist – COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention in Congregate Living Settings
- Checklist - Managing COVID-19 Outbreaks in Congregate Living Settings
- Congregate Living Organization IPAC Risk Self-Assessment Tool
IPAC Training
- Infection Prevention and Control Fundamentals – Training Resources (Public Health Ontario)
- Videos: Donning and doffing PPE
- Online Learning Modules: Infection Prevention and Control
- Routine Practices (Public Health Ontario)
- Best Practices for Hand Hygiene in Health Care Settings (Public Health Ontario)
- Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning
- PPE Auditing