News

Ongoing cases continue to decline

Southwestern Public Health reported 10 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Elgin, St. Thomas and Oxford on Thursday, May 27, up from five the previous day. However, the number of ongoing cases being tracked by the health unit continued to slide, to 74 Thursday from 81 Wednesday. Ongoing cases in St. Thomas and area declined…

Read More

Deer tick positive for Lyme disease in Port Burwell

Southwestern Public Health announced Wednesday, May 26, that a deer tick collected from Port Burwell had tested positive for the agent that causes Lyme disease in humans. While this was the first such positive test in Elgin County this year, the health unit stated, Port Burwell has been considered a “risk area” for Lyme disease…

Read More

Three dead so far in Tillsonburg hospital outbreak

The COVID-19 outbreak is coming to an end at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, but three patients have died since it was first declared on May 5, President Sandy Jansen announced on Wednesday, May 26. She was participating in a weekly news conference conducted by Southwestern Public Health Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joyce Lock. Ms.…

Read More

Just five new cases Wednesday

Southwestern Public Health reported five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Elgin, St. Thomas and Oxford on Wednesday, May 26. The number of ongoing cases being tracked by the health unit in the region dropped to 81 Wednesday from 88 Tuesday. Ongoing cases in St. Thomas and area rose to 14 Wednesday from 11 Tuesday,…

Read More

Southwestern records 80th COVID-19 death.

Southwestern Public Health on Tuesday morning, May 25, announced the death of an Oxford man in his 70s in a case connected to COVID-19. That brings the total number of deaths to date in the pandemic in Elgin, St. Thomas and Oxford to 80. Southwestern also reported 32 new cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed…

Read More

Port Burwell vaccine clinic eligibility expanded

Southwestern Public Health announced Tuesday, May 25, that eligibility to receive vaccinations during a “pop-up” clinic at the fire station in Port Burwell Thursday, May 27, has been expanded to fill remaining appointments. The clinic had previously been restricted to residents of Port Burwell, Vienna and Straffordville. Now, anyone from Elgin, St. Thomas or Oxford…

Read More

Teens 12 and over eligible for vaccine

Anyone 12 and older will become eligible to book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination at a Southwestern Public Health clinic beginning this Sunday, May 23. Only those who will be 12 or older by the date of their appointment are eligible, the health unit stressed. Those 12 through 17  are only eligible for the…

Read More

COVID-19 hospitalizations up

Southwestern Public Health reported 15 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, May 21, up from 10 the previous day. The number of ongoing cases being tracked by the health unit rose as well, to 104 from 102. In addition, as of Friday, nine Southwestern region residents were hospitalized because of COVID-19, up from seven…

Read More

What’s opening this weekend

Southwestern Public Health on Friday, May 21, outlined what outdoor recreational facilities would be allowed to open to the public this weekend, and under what conditions: Parks and recreational areas Baseball diamonds Batting cages Soccer, football and sports fields Tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts Basketball courts BMX parks Skate parks Golf courses…

Read More

Beach facilities to be opened in Port Bruce, Port Burwell

Washrooms and parking lots at Port Burwell’s municipal East Beach and in Port Bruce will be open this Saturday. On Thursday, Premier Doug Ford announced that many outdoor recreation facilities would be allowed to re-open this weekend, as long as those using them continued to follow public health guidelines on masking and maintaining physical distancing.…

Read More