NEWS

Local news in and around Aylmer and Elgin County

COVID-19: Three more cases in Elgin-St. Thomas

April 8, 2020 | 0 Comments

Southwestern Public Health’s COVID-19 website chart took a jump by four active cases in Elgin and St. Thomas on Wednesday afternoon, April 8. The number of active cases increased to 11 from seven. Three of the new cases were residents of St. Thomas, for a new total of four, while the number in Dutton Dunwich…

COVID-19: Ongoing cases for Aylmer, Central Elgin

April 6, 2020 | 0 Comments

The municipalities of ongoing confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region were released, with two from Central Elgin and one from Aylmer. This information was made public Monday afternoon, April 6, when Southwestern Public Health updated its case reporting strategy. They are eliminating the list of individual cases and replacing it with summary statistics. The summary statistics…

Rural Internet access a challenge to distance learning

April 3, 2020 | 0 Comments

by Rob Perry of The Aylmer Express Both the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board have begun rolling out “distance learning” programs for pupils and students who’ve been out of school since the start of March break and aren’t expected to return until at least May 4. One concern…

COVID-19: More clarity on four new Elgin cases

April 2, 2020 | 0 Comments

Southwestern Public Health announced three new Oxford County confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday morning, April 2, and a few more details on four Elgin cases confirmed on Wednesday, April 1. The Oxford cases involved two women in their 50s and one in her 30s. Two of the three were self-isolating at home, while the…

Aylmer Police lay charge for breaching quarantine

April 1, 2020 | 0 Comments

Aylmer Police have charged a town man, 42, with breaking a mandatory 14-day quarantine on Canadians who have returned from abroad. Chief Zvonko Horvat said police received a report on March 30 that the man, who had recently returned from another country, was violating the self-quarantine measure. Police spoke to the man, explained the order…

COVID-19: Second death in region, jump in new cases

April 1, 2020 | 0 Comments

Wednesday, April 1, brought an abrupt increase in the number of confirmed  COVID-19 cases in Elgin and St. Thomas from seven to 11, including the second death from the disease, a woman in her 70s. Of the three other new cases from Elgin, one was someone in their 80s (self-isolating), and two others, an 80s…

First COVID-19 death in region

March 31, 2020 | 0 Comments

The first COVID-19-related death in Elgin was announced by St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital via news release on Tuesday, March 31 morning. (press release in full below) In a telephone press conference late Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Joyce Lock, medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health, said the woman, who died on Monday night, was…

Physicians urge everyone to stay at least six feet apart

March 27, 2020 | 1 Comment

by Rob Perry of The Aylmer Express All current and some retired primary care physicians and nurse-practitioners in Elgin and St. Thomas issued a joint letter on Friday, March 27, imploring local residents to stay at least two metres or six feet away from anyone not in their own household in order to check the…

COVID-19: Five cases in region, three in hospital

March 27, 2020 | 0 Comments

As of Friday, March 27, there had been 5 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the region, with four of those being from Elgin. Southwestern Public Health oversees testing and confirmation of cases it’s region: Elgin, St. Thomas and Oxford. The most recent two cases, both Elgin males in their 70s, are listed as being hospitalized.…

Transitioning to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit – MP Vecchio’s Office

March 25, 2020 | 0 Comments

Press Release: From the Office of Karen Vecchio, MP, Elgin-Middlesex-London Transitioning to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit March 25, 2020 ST. THOMAS, ON –The Government of Canada has announced a new benefit, called the Canada Emergency Response Benefit that will focus on delivering immediate financial support to Canadians impacted by COVID-19. The portal for accessing…

Second Elgin COVID-19 case cofirmed, another in Oxford

March 25, 2020 | 0 Comments

by Rob Perry of The Aylmer Express Southwestern Public Health announced on Wednesday, March 25, that the first case of COVID-19 in Oxford County had been confirmed. That same day a third case was confirmed, this time a second person from Elgin (not announced through news release, but found on the SPH’s Confirmed Cases Dashboard:…

OPP offer security tips for businesses closing due to pandemic

March 24, 2020 | 0 Comments

With non-essential businesses being ordered shut for at least two weeks by the provincial government, the Ontario Provincial Police are suggesting these tips to make a property less attractive to thieves: Remove all valuables from storefront displays Remove all cash from tills and leave open with the cash tray out and visibly empty Ensure alarm…