Southwestern Public Health is urging the community to be proactive this holiday season as they report their highest single day total of 47 new cases today (Dec 23).
On Monday the Province of Ontario announced a wide reaching shutdown that will begin on December 26 at 12:01 a.m. and last for at least 28 days in the southern part of Ontario.
Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Office of Health with SWPH communicated the following as a result.
“While the provincial shutdown officially starts on December 26, I urge everyone to limit their contact with others effective immediately. We have cases in every community and in people of every age. Transmission happens at social events, in workplaces, through travel, and within institutions. What is most worrisome is that we have many cases we cannot trace to a source. This evidence of community spread means urgent action is required from each of us.”
Dr. Lock adds that their teams are doing the best they can as they work at maximum capacity due to an increase in local cases.
“Our case management and contact tracing teams are working at maximum capacity due to the large number of cases in our region. It may take them longer to reach out to positive cases and to begin the
contact tracing process. You can assist by informing family, friends, coworkers, or teammates you have been in close contact with of your results and asking them to get tested and self-isolate.”
Our full report of daily cases including the break down of the 47 new cases that were announced today will be released once information is made available.

