Brant County Health Unit
194 Terrace Hill St. N3R 1G7 Brantford, ON, Canada

Update: Our website service has been restored.

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our website and are working to restore service. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

When exchanging gifts with those outside of your immediate household, remember: Wash your hands after handling or opening gifts Maintain physical distancing Stay home if you are feeling ill... For more holiday guidance, please visit www.bchu.org/HolidayFAQ

The fewer people you have contact with the lower the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Virtual gatherings or events are the safest way to visit or recognize occasions with people outside your household. For holiday tips and guidance, visit www.bchu.org/HolidayFAQ

There are currently restrictions in place in Brant as part of the provincewide shutdown. To find out what this means for Retailers, please visit https://bit.ly/ProvinceShutdownBCHU

Impaired driving is both illegal and dangerous. Drinking alcohol and consuming cannabis can increase your risk of being involved in a collision. Plan a safe ride home: use public transit, have a designated driver, call someone for a ride, or use a cab or ride share.

Shop safely this holiday season: Consider curbside pick-up or delivery, if available Plan ahead to avoid crowds Limit the number of people who shop with you Wear a face covering and frequently sanitize your hands... For more information, visit www.bchu.org/HolidayFAQ See more

Brant is currently under the Orange-Restrict tier of the Keeping Ontario Safe & Open Framework. To find out what this means for residents, please visit http://ow.ly/dh1S50CooQ9

Even though vaping is less harmful than smoking, there are still serious risks for you to consider. Vaping can expose you to chemicals that could harm your health. For more information, visit http://ow.ly/ZMlV50CFS1V

Dr. Urbantke is asking residents to limit close contact interactions to those within their own household to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep one another safe.

Join our community partners all December for Healthy Aging Without Walls, a free telephone-based program for adults aged 50+. Connect with neighbours for wellness seminars, trivia and discussion. For more information, please visit http://ow.ly/rnVM50A0cPg

Let's do our part to protect the #Brant community: Send one person per household to the store Only touch items you intend to buy Practice physical distancing Wear a face covering ... www.bchu.org/coronavirus See more

Health Unit release: COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Brantford Tim Horton's location www.bchu.org//COVID-19-Outbreak-declared-at-Brantford-Tim-

Join the BCHU at one of our free community flu shot clinics in November: November 6, 2020- Brant Sports Complex November 7, 2020- Brant Sports Complex November 13, 2020- Woodman Community Centre November 20, 2020- Woodman Community Centre ... Please note, clinics are available by appointment only. To book your appointment, please visit www.bchu.org/flu See more

Approximately 1 in 6 children live in households experiencing poverty. Low income affects the capacity to live in quality housing and have access to healthy foods. But solutions do exist! Learn more about what others are doing to #MakeItBetter in their communities and what you can do by joining the conversation at www.makeitbetterontario.ca. Make it better - OPHA

Brant is currently under the Orange-Restrict tier of Ontario's COVID-19 Response Framework. To find out what this means for Restaurants, Bars, and Food and drink establishments, please visit ow.ly/dh1S50CooQ9

If you’re going to hand out candy this Halloween, stand outside your door to hand out treats if you can so kids won’t need to touch the door or doorbell. Plan to hand out individual treats instead of offering a shared bowl. Also make sure you wear a non-medical mask that covers your nose and mouth. Visit www.bchu.org/COVIDFAQ to learn more.

We are experiencing technical difficulties with our website and are working diligently to restore service. Please see the below COVID-19 stats as of Nov 17, 2020 at 11 a.m.

Over 13% of Canadian children and youth are living with asthma. It is one of the leading causes of childhood hospital admissions in Canada. Children from the lowest income neighborhoods in Canada are hospitalized for asthma 1.5 times more than those from the highest income neighborhoods. Untreated, asthma can be life-threatening. Find out how you can #MakeItBetter and help to protect children from the health impacts of climate change at www.makeitbetterontario.ca.

Gender Journey Brant will be hosting a virtual Transgender Day of Remembrance. Join them this Friday, November 20 at 8 p.m.

The Brant County Health Unit offers free well water testing for residents whose drinking water comes from a private well. Pick up a sterile water testing bottle here at the Health Unit, or the County of Brant Offices in Burford or Paris. Samples can be dropped off at the Health Unit, Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or the County of Brant Burford office (not Paris) on the last Wednesday of the month only from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (that's this Wednesday!).... Remember: It's important to collect your sample on the same day you are planning to drop it off. www.bchu.org/water

Are you going to be a mom? We’ve created an online group for moms who are 25 and under, available at any time during their pregnancy and until their baby is six months old. This group offers a safe, comfortable environment for pregnant women and young mothers. If you’re interested in joining, please call our Family Line at 519-753-4937 ext. 464. www.bchu.org/CPNP-drop-in-group

Planning on handing out candy for Halloween? Get creative to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Use tongs, a baking sheet or make a candy slide to give more space when handing out candy. Do NOT leave a bowl out unattended for children to handle and serve themselves. For more information, visit www.bchu.org/COVIDFAQ

The BCHU is holding free community flu shot clinics in November: November 6, 2020- Brant Sports Complex November 7, 2020- Brant Sports Complex November 13, 2020- Woodman Community Centre November 20, 2020- Woodman Community Centre ... Please note, clinics are available by appointment only. To book your appointment, please visit www.bchu.org/flu See more

This Infection Control Week we’re reminding the community the importance of getting your flu shot, especially with the prevalence of COVID-19 during this year’s flu season. www.bchu.org/flu

Modified trick-or-treating is considered a moderate risk activity for Halloween this year. If your family is going trick-or-treating, wear a non-medical mask or face covering as part of your costume. A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. Learn more about how you can celebrate safely this Halloween: www.bchu.org/COVIDFAQ

Are you going to be a mom? Due to COVID-19 and our regular drop-in groups being temporarily postponed, we’ve created an online group for moms who are 25 and under, available at any time during their pregnancy and until their baby is six months old. This group offers a safe, comfortable environment for pregnant women and young mothers. If you’re interested in joining, please call our Family Line at 519-753-4937 ext. 464. http://www.bchu.org/.../Pre.../21AndUnder/Pages/default.aspx

Halloween isn't cancelled this year, but as Dr. Urbantke explains we all need to make sure we are taking precautions and celebrating responsibly to keep one another safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Infection prevention and control (IPAC) has always been important to public health and safety, but the global fight against COVID-19 has highlighted just how it important is. We want to thank all IPAC professionals working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and throughout the community for their tireless work during COVID-19.

If you are trick-or-treating this year, make sure you only trick-or-treat outside and keep to your local neighbourhood, and only with those from your household. Also make sure you leave enough space between you and other groups to reduce crowding on stairs and sidewalks. Read our Halloween fact sheet to learn how to trick-or-treat responsibly this year: www.bchu.org/COVIDFAQ

It’s National Infection Control Week! An opportunity for infection control professionals to educate about the importance of infection prevention. https://ipac-canada.org/national-infection-control-week.php

A very simple yet effective way to reduce the spread of viruses such as COVID-19 is to practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with for 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available. www.bchu.org/coronavirus