NEWS

Local news in and around Aylmer and Elgin County

Southwestern announces 100,000 vaccinated

May 31, 2021 | 0 Comments

Southwestern Public Health on Monday morning, May 31, announced that to date, 100,000 residents of Elgin, St. Thomas and Oxford had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The health unit called that “a significant milestone” representing nearly 48 percent of the region’s total population of 211,000. Dr. Joyce Lock, Southwestern medical officer of…

Only four new cases Friday, May 28

May 28, 2021 | 0 Comments

Southwestern Public Health was reporting just four new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Elgin, St. Thomas and Oxford on Friday, May 28, down from 10 on Thursday. The number of ongoing cases being tracked by the health unit continues a downward slide, standing at 62 on Friday compared to 74 the previous day. Ongoing cases…

Second vaccine doses accelerated

May 28, 2021 | 0 Comments

Premier Doug Ford announced Friday morning, May 28, that Ontarians would be able to get their second, booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine sooner than anticipated. Over 65 percent of the adult population of the province had already received their first dose of vaccine, a total of 8.5-million immunizations. Now that Ontario was getting consistent deliveries…

Ongoing cases continue to decline

May 27, 2021 | 0 Comments

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…

Deer tick positive for Lyme disease in Port Burwell

May 27, 2021 | 0 Comments

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…

Three dead so far in Tillsonburg hospital outbreak

May 26, 2021 | 0 Comments

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.…

Just five new cases Wednesday

May 26, 2021 | 0 Comments

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,…

Southwestern records 80th COVID-19 death.

May 25, 2021 | 0 Comments

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…

Port Burwell vaccine clinic eligibility expanded

May 25, 2021 | 0 Comments

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…

Teens 12 and over eligible for vaccine

May 21, 2021 | 0 Comments

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…

COVID-19 hospitalizations up

May 21, 2021 | 0 Comments

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…

What’s opening this weekend

May 21, 2021 | 1 Comment

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…