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
- General COVID-19 Information
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 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 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
- Contact Southwestern Public Health Infectious Disease Team and request your outbreak management representative:
- Signage
- Ministry Passive Screening Sign
- Visitors Screening Questions Sign
- Face Covering Required Poster
- Face Covering Recommended
- Infographic: What is Coronavirus?
- Physical Distancing Poster
- Physical Distancing on Elevators
- Getting tested for COVID-19
- How to Wash Your Hands Poster
- How to Clean Your Hands Poster
- Donning PPE Poster
- Doffing PPE Poster
- COVID-19 Mental Health Poster
- Additional Precautions Signage
- Additional resources
- Ministry of Health COVID-19 Website (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)
- Public Health Ontario: COVID-19 Health Care Resources
- Public Health Ontario: Synopsis of Key Articles COVID-19
- 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
- Resources for families and visitors Long Term Care, Retirement Homes and other Congregate settings
Key Guidance for Congregate Settings
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: 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
Infection Prevention and Control
- 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