News

New administrator for Malahide

Malahide Township announced Monday morning, May 31, that Adam Betteridge, the municipality’s director of development services for the last year-and-a-half, will become chief administrative officer as of June 28. He is replacing Michelle Casavecchia-Somers, who is retiring. Mr. Betteridge, a graduate of University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours, Planning) degree, is…

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Southwestern announces 100,000 vaccinated

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…

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Only four new cases Friday, May 28

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…

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Second vaccine doses accelerated

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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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