RCAHD Health Updates Newsletter 4.6.21

Welcome to the

Roanoke City & Alleghany

Health Districts

Newsletter

04.06.21

Health updates for residents of the

Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD)

Alleghany Vaccination Team

RCAHD staff gathered for a photo at a recent Alleghany-area clinic targeting residents in Phase 1b. Their t-shirts are printed with the words: PRIDE: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Empathy.

Since December, over 7,500 people in Alleghany, Covington and Craig have received at least one dose of vaccine. Those vaccinated include people over 65, essential workers, and residents living in assisted living, senior apartment complexes, long term care facilities, and intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled.

Questions about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Virginia's medical experts have answers in this one-minute video

COVID VACCINE PRIORITY UPDATE

Since late December, RCAHD has worked with vaccination partners to provide over 150,000 doses of vaccine (including second doses) to local residents. All RCAHD residents age 16+ have been invited to make an appointment at our weekly clinics at the Berglund and Salem Civic Centers.

This week we announced that we have begun offering invitations to all people who are pre-registered in Phase 1 and Phase 2, which is the General Population of those over age 16 who live or work in RCAHD.

Q: With the numbers of people receiving vaccine every week, are we any closer to reaching herd immunity in our area?

A: According to VDH experts, herd immunity happens when most of the people in a community are immune to an infectious disease, meaning they can be exposed to someone who has the disease and not get infected. People can become immune either by having the disease or by getting vaccinated against the disease. For a disease like COVID-19, herd immunity makes it harder for the virus to find someone to make sick.

About 20-35% of our local RCAHD population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, but experts believe we likely will need at least 70% of people fully vaccinated before our population can be considered protected by herd immunity. So, until we reach herd immunity, continue to wear a mask inside and outside when you are around people not in your own household, stay at least 6 feet apart from other people, keep away from large crowds, wash your hands often, and get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Are you a RCAHD resident in need of your second dose?

If you received your first dose of Pfizer before March 16, click this link to create a second dose appointment of Pfizer.

If you received your first dose of Moderna before March 11, click this link to create a second dose appointment of Moderna.

If you are not yet due to receive your second dose, or the above clinic options do not work for you, please email rcahdcovidresponse@vdh.virginia.gov with the date and vaccine manufacturer (Pfizer or Moderna) of your first dose.

RCAHD Community Update 4.06.21

COVID-19 Variants

By Cynthia Morrow, MD, MPH

The return of glorious weather in Southwestern Virginia coincides with reasons to feel hopeful about the future. Case counts are down since their peak in January and we have made considerable progress in getting our community vaccinated.

Still, we need to remain vigilant in our battle against COVID-19. While the rates of infection have slowed, we still have widespread community transmission...

What are COVID-19 variants and what do they have to do with the spread of disease in our community?

Learn more in Dr. Morrow's weekly community update