After several days of declines and sometimes no movement in the number of active cases of Covid-19 in the area, the past few days are seeing slight upticks in the numbers. This slight rise in coronavirus cases comes from data releases Monday, Tuesday and today from Southwestern Public Health, which covers Oxford County, Elgin County and the city of St. Thomas.

Yesterday, a new case in Dutton/Dunwich boosted the Elgin County total to three, in addition to the two cases in St. Thomas. Those numbers remain the same today.

In Oxford County, there had been no new cases since Monday…until today. An active case in Woodstock now brings the county total up to 5, with 3 current cases in East Zorra/Tavistock and 1 case still in Tillsonburg.

This slight rise in the number of active cases comes at a time when several restaurants have opened up their patios or started sidewalk patios in an effort to boost business, just some of the businesses hit hard by the pandemic. Remember to practice social distancing as much as possible…and generously tip the wait staff.

Websites to check regularly include…

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 much as possible), stay informed…and wash your hands often.