Back-to-School Safety Guidance
This week, the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Department of Education released new guidance for PreK-12 schools for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. The Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Virginia PreK-12 Schools reinforces the importance of in-person learning and supports schools in making decisions on masking and other prevention measures, as informed by local data and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Revised recommendations include:
  • Elementary schools (including PreK classrooms) implement a requirement that students, teachers, and staff wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, until vaccination is available for children under 12 years old and there has been sufficient time to allow for children younger than 12 years old to be fully vaccinated.

  • At a minimum, middle and high schools implement a requirement that students, teachers, and staff who are not fully vaccinated wear masks indoors. If a school adopts such a requirement, school divisions should work with their local council to determine how such a requirement will be implemented.

For more information, review the interim guidance in its entirety. 
Resuming Services:
Yancey Community Health Clinic
In September of 2019, the Blue Ridge Health District established The Yancey Community Health Clinic. This site, located in the Yancey School Community Center in Esmont, ensures a range of public health services are available to the local community and surrounding areas. It is with great excitement that BRHD has resumed its services at the Yancey Community Health Clinic.

The clinic is open on the third Thursday of every month, from 9:00am-2:00pm by appointment. Services include family planning visits and contraceptive management, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and more. Fees are income-based. In addition to these services, Yancey is staffed by an on-site Community Health Worker, Willie Mae Gray, who conducts outreach, connects community members with resources, and provides information and referrals. 

Ready to make an appointment? Have more questions? Call 434-270-3216
Local Health Department: Walk-in Vaccines
Beginning Monday, July 26, walk-in COVID vaccines will be available at each of our BRHD health departments. Vaccines will be offered at a different office, one day every week from 9:30-11:30am and 1:00-3:30pm: 
  • Mondays- Greene County Health Department 
  • Tuesdays- Louisa County Health Department
  • Wednesdays- Fluvanna County Health Department
  • Thursdays- Nelson County Health Department
  • Fridays- Charlottesville/Albemarle County Health Department 

We will continue to provide vaccines at our J. Crew vaccine location in Fashion Square Mall and throughout the District with our mobile unit and pop-up events, in addition to homebound vaccine efforts. 

Everyone 12 years and older is eligible to be vaccinated. In addition to our walk-in clinics, appointments can be scheduled by using our online scheduling portal, visiting vaccines.gov, or calling the BRHD hotline Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm: 434-972-6261.

Want flyers to help spread the word in your specific locality? They are located in our Public Google Drive and can be downloaded to print or share electronically!
Meet the BRHD Team
Each week, we introduce you to one of our Health District Heroes so you can get to know the people working to keep you safe and healthy every day. This week, meet Willie Mae Gray, Community Health Worker in Albemarle and Charlottesville!

How long have you been at BRHD?
Just over a year.
 
What is your job?
During COVID, I have spent a lot of time at vaccine clinics and our pop-up vaccine events. Almost every day of the week, I hit the streets with our outreach team to educate the community on COVID safety, sign people up for vaccine appointments, and promote upcoming vaccine events. I also make sure people know about the entire range of resources and services the health department offers. 

You can also catch me at the Yancey Community Health Clinic in Esmont! We are open every third Thursday from 9:00a.m.–2:00p.m. services like family planning, sexual health testing and treatment, and much more. As someone from Esmont, I feel so much joy in being able to give back to my community with this clinic. 

Who are you outside of BRHD?
Before coming to BRHD, I worked at Belk Department Store, which I really enjoyed since I am a big-time lover of fashion! I also enjoy working in my flower gardens, going for a good run, laughing, and hanging out with family and friends (before COVID!). I love people and the chance to teach each other and learn from each other - if you ever see me out and about, don’t hesitate to say hello! 
Remember, vaccination is only one tool to end the pandemic. We need to use them all in order to return to normal day-to-day activities. Continue to wear face masks if you or your young children are not fully vaccinated, maintain physical distance, wash hands frequently and properly, and limit indoor social gatherings with those who are unvaccinated.