BRAMPTON, ON. (March 16, 2020) – Peel Public Health strongly supports today’s announcement from the Province of Ontario directing bars, restaurants and food establishments to stop in-person service to help control the spread of COVID-19. In addition, Peel Public Health strongly recommends the closure of nightclubs, movie theatres and concert venues effective 12:01 a.m., March 17, 2020.

“We are grateful that many restaurants, bars and food establishments have already taken the civic-minded step to voluntarily change how they do business to protect Peel residents,” said Dr. Lawrence Loh, Acting Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel. “However, any business in Peel that chooses to defy either the Province’s or Peel Public Health’s recommendations will be subject to orders under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.”

Peel Public Health urges everyone to make efforts at social distancing. Social distancing is about avoiding physical contact and staying a safe distance away from others (approximately 2 metres). 

Peel Public Health continues to strongly recommend that residents who have travelled outside of Canada, including to the United States, should self-isolate for 14 days.

“Protecting the health of our community and ensuring care is available for those who require it is a shared responsibility,” said Dr. Lawrence Loh, Acting Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel. “Every opportunity to avoid interactions with others helps to prevent the spread of this disease,” continued Loh. “Every interaction avoided helps to flatten the curve. We must act in solidarity and do our part to ensure that we are able to contain the outbreak.”

The Region of Peel works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 175,000 businesses in the cities of Brampton and Mississauga and the Town of Caledon. Peel’s services touch the lives of residents every day. Recognized as a leader in management and service delivery, the Region of Peel received Excellence Canada’s Platinum Award for Excellence, Innovation and Wellness®. For more information about the Region of Peel, explore peelregion.ca and follow us on Twitter at @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.

MISSISSAUGA, ON (September 8, 2017) – Peel Public Health has identified its first human case of West Nile virus for 2017.

“This case reinforces the need for all residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” says Paul Callanan, Director of Health Protection at the Region of Peel. “Most people who contract the disease will show no symptoms, but 20 per cent will experience mild flu–like symptoms, and about one in 150 people will develop a more severe form of the disease.”

Residents are encouraged to protect themselves from mosquito bites by doing the following:

Avoid areas with high mosquito populations and take extra precautions at dusk and dawn when mosquito activity is highest.

Wear light–coloured clothing that covers exposed skin, such as long sleeves, pants and a hat.

Use an insect repellent containing DEET and apply it according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Remove or drain items on your property that hold stagnant water. Water that is stagnant for more than seven days is an ideal breeding site for mosquitoes. You can report stagnant water sites to Peel Public Health at 905–799–7700 or online at peel-bugbite.ca.

Register online at peel-bugbite.ca to receive email notifications and information about where mosquitos that have tested positive for West Nile virus found in Peel.

For more information about West Nile virus, visit peel-bugbite.ca or call Region of Peel – Public Health at 905–799–7700 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Caledon residents can call toll free at 905–584–2216.

The Regional Municipality of Peel was incorporated in 1974 on the principle that certain community and infrastructure services are most cost–effectively administered over a larger geographic area. The Region of Peel serves more than one million residents in the cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the town of Caledon.