Middlesex-London Health Unit

Merry Christmas! 🎅🎁 Wishing warmth, joy, and togetherness to everyone celebrating today.

From all of us at , may your day be filled with love, laughter, and a little holiday magic!

⚠️ Across Ontario, including Middlesex and London, there are many people sick with COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory illnesses. Influenza is particularly active right now – just last week we had 297 visits to the emergency department due to influenza-like illnesses and 39 hospitalizations due to influenza in Middlesex and London.

December is also a peak period of gathering as families, friends, and colleagues. Did you receive a holiday party invite? Please RSVP “no” if you feel unwell with a fever, cough, headache, muscle aches, or chills. These are all symptoms of influenza. Likewise, if you host a gathering, please ask your guests to “rain check” if they are sick. A visit can wait until everyone is feeling their best.

Let’s protect each other, our residential care homes, and our hospitals this holiday season by keeping our germs at home.

P.S. It is not too late to be immunized against COVID-19 and influenza. Speak to your healthcare provider or your local pharmacist! You can receive both vaccines in one 15-minute appointment.

Cold Alert Issued ❄️

The Health Unit is issuing a Cold Alert for the evening of December 15. Temperatures are expected to fall to –14°C, with wind chills near –20°C overnight and into the morning of December 16.

Cold Weather Safety Tips:
🏠 Stay indoors as much as possible (home, public spaces, libraries).
🧣 Dress in warm layers and cover exposed skin to prevent frostbite.
🫖 Drink warm fluids (avoid alcohol & caffeine).
🚘 Prepare your home & car for winter.

For warming centre locations in London & Middlesex County, visit:
🔗 London: london.ca/warming-centres
🔗 Middlesex Libraries: library.middlesex.ca/Locations

For more information about extreme cold visit: www.healthunit.com/community-safety/safety-outdoors/extreme-cold/