Update From Southwestern Public Health CEO

Tuesday, 24 March 2020 12:42

Southwestern Public Health CEO Cynthia St. John has provided an update today on some of the work happening behind the scenes right now.

OXFORD COUNTY/ELGIN COUNTY/ST. THOMAS - Southwestern Public Health CEO Cynthia St. John has provided an update today on some of the work happening behind the scenes.

The Health Unit is working with sectors, public institutions, local government, private employers and non-profits to ensure a thoughtful, proactive and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. John says they are having meetings every day, multiple times a day with key stakeholders.

“We are actively participating at tables with municipalities, first responders, business leaders, long term care homes, health care professionals, hospitals, and so many others. We’re also in regular contact with local educators, childcare providers and community services. We’re sharing the most recent guidelines, providing guidance, problem solving, coordinating our responses, and sharing resources. In this region, we are very fortunate to have committed and collaborative partners who know how to roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to get the job done.”

As with the outbreak of any infectious disease, Southwestern Public Health is responsible for disseminating the best, most recent infection prevention and control measures, reporting cases of infection to the community, and tracking and monitoring cases and their close contacts. St. John says that being a lead agency in a pandemic response is exactly what a public health unit is set up to do.

“Southwestern Public health is still offering essential services. All other staff have been redeployed to support our COVID-19 response. We’re currently fielding up to 400 calls a day, as well as receiving questions through social media and email and working with local journalists to get important information out. Our focus is on tracking information from the local, provincial and federal government and translating that into action for the local community. Our goal is to support this community with expert guidance during a very difficult and unprecedented time.”

You can keep up to date with latest information from Southwestern Public Health online here.