There’s been some activity and a very slight up-tick regarding the coronavirus over the weekend. Today’s data release by Southwestern Public Health, which covers Oxford and Elgin counties and the city of St. Thomas, shows 2 new cases have been reported in Ingersoll and East Zorra-Tavistock with 1 case each, while Woodstock has dropped from 2 to just 1 case. That means since Friday, Oxford County has gone from 2 cases to three active ones.

Nothing changed in Elgin County over the holiday. St. Thomas and Malahide still have 1 case each for a total of two active cases in Elgin County. The grand total covered by Southwestern Public Health is now at 5 active cases.

Today is the day Oxford’s Waste Management Facility in Salford resumes regular business hours for residential and commercial users with customers encouraged to continue using physical distancing and avoid any non-essential trips to the facility. Delays are to be expected. And you shouldn’t visit the facility if you are sick or experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.

Over the weekend in Tillsonburg, the docks on both sides of Lake Lisgar, at the Rowing Club and at Gibson House (on Concession St.), reopened with social distancing still in place (you have to keep 2 metres away from each other). However, the gazebo, benches and picnic areas are still off limits.

As for today, some downtown Tillsonburg businesses have reopened, but with specific procedures in place for customers and staff, and some with reduced hours. There appeared to be more vehicular and foot traffic this morning.

But most people appear to be practicing social distancing and other safe procedures. One woman opened the automatic door to a business by pushing the button with her foot, much like the way you might use your foot to flush the toilet in a public washroom.

For the latest information, check the following local websites regularly:

Southwestern Public Health: https://www.swpublichealth.ca/content/community-update-novel-coronavirus-covid-19

Oxford County: http://www.oxfordcounty.ca/covid-19

Town of Tillsonburg: https://www.tillsonburg.ca/en/town-hall/novel-conoravirus-covid-19-information.aspx

Stay safe, stay apart, stay home as often as possible, stay informed…and keep washing your hands, often!