Updated CDC Guidance on Isolation and Quarantine
On Monday, December 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a change to the current COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance. This decision was based on most recent data around COVID-19, including the Omicron variant. The current science demonstrates that the majority of COVID-19 transmission takes place earlier after infection, typically in the first 1-2 days before symptoms appear and about 2-3 days after. It is important to note that this is only when the majority of transmission occurs. Individuals who have tested positive can still be contagious up to 10 days after their symptoms started or they tested positive (for asymptomatic cases). This means they can still infect others with the virus, even if their symptoms have improved or they had no symptoms, for up to 10 days. 

The CDC released these guidelines prior to publication of supporting evidence or full explanation of how they would be implemented in all situations such as schools and daycare centers. Many of our children are not yet vaccinated and younger children may have difficulty complying with the very strict mask requirements. In addition to questions about implementation, we are seeing our highest rates of COVID infection since the pandemic began. Countries seeing high rates of the Omicron variant are reporting a very high percentage of close contacts that ultimately test positive for COVID-19. With these factors in mind, our goal remains to keep students in school.  Because of this, we are recommending that schools and daycares continue their current quarantine and isolation protocols that have worked so successfully to date. We will reassess as more information becomes available.  

BRHD will host a live, virtual town hall on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, from 7-8pm to discuss these new guidelines further. More details on this town hall will be shared in the next few days. 

New CDC Quarantine Guidelines 
According to the CDC, if exposed to a positive COVID-19 case: 
  • Fully vaccinated and boosted individuals should commit to a 10-day period of strict mask usage around others. 
  • Unvaccinated and un-boosted individuals should quarantine for 5 days, followed by another 5 days of strict mask usage.
  • All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are recommended to get tested 5 days after the initial exposure. If at any point the individual starts experiencing symptoms, they should seek testing and return home immediately until a negative test confirms symptoms are not COVID-19 related.

New CDC Isolation Guidelines
The CDC has updated isolation guidelines for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. If tested positive: 
  • Asymptomatic individuals or those individuals with mild symptoms that resolve within 5 days may end isolation on day 5, followed by another 5-day period of strict mask usage.
  • Symptomatic individuals, including those with fever or any other symptoms that have not resolved by day 5, should remain in isolation until symptoms have improved and/or the fever breaks without the help of fever-reducing medication.

Read the full news release on updated quarantine and isolation guidelines on the CDC's website.
New Year's Eve Closures and Safety Suggestions
In observance of the New Year Holiday, all BRHD offices, test sites, and vaccine clinics will be closed on Friday, December 31, 2021. Normal operations will resume on Monday, January 3, 2022.

As we head into another weekend of potential celebration and gathering, it is important to implement as many safety measures as possible: 
  • Limit the size of gatherings and opt for outdoors when possible
  • Wear a mask when indoors or in close proximity to others
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water
  • Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others
  • Stay home if you are feeling unwell, positive for COVID-19, waiting on negative test results, or simply not willing to risk infection of self or others

Continue reading for information on vaccines and testing resources in the coming weeks.
January Vaccine Resources and New CVC Hours
Vaccines continue to be available for anyone ages 5 years and older. In addition to local pharmacies and medical providers, BRHD will continue to host vaccine clinics at local health departments and throughout the District at community-based and mobile vaccine sites. 

We are currently planning additional community events with community leaders throughout BRHD.  If you represent a congregation, business, organization, or agency that wants to host an onsite vaccination clinic for first, second, third, and booster doses, please complete our online survey to start the process of getting vaccines administered in your own neighborhood!

The Community Vaccination Center at Seminole Square continues to be a great resource for access to first, second, third, and booster doses for all eligible individuals 5 years and older. Beginning January 3, 2022, the CVC will operate under new hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm.

For a list of upcoming clinics, as well as other vaccine resources, visit the BRHD Website.
Test & Go: Free STI Screenings
Want to start the new off the New Year with a little more than a kiss? We suggest joining us for Test & Go on Tuesday, January 4 from 4:30-6:30pm at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Drive, Door 1).

Here, you will receive free, fast, and friendly services to test you for a full panel of sexually transmitted infections like HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B and C, and Syphilis. You’ll also start the year out with access to free safer sex items like condoms, lube, dental dams, and more.

No ID or appointment is necessary, but there is a limited capacity, so don’t wait too late to come. Have questions? Give us a call at 434-972-6269.
Join the BRHD Team: Public Health Nurse
The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) is offering an exciting Public Health Senior Nurse opportunity. The position will be based in our Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department but will serve all of BRHD, which also includes Fluvanna, Greene, Nelson, and Louisa counties.

This Senior Nurse position will serve as the district subject matter expert on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, including current prevention/treatment modalities and contact investigation principles and practices. This role will utilize knowledge of the basic principles of epidemiology, health promotion strategies at the individual and population health levels, and community resources to effectively educate our community. 

Review all the details and apply HERE.
Next Week's COVID Testing
To meet testing needs, BRHD, UVA Health, and Next Molecular will continue to offer free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing throughout the District. As testing occurs outdoors, inclement weather may impact the services provided.

Please see below for the COVID-19 testing during the first week of January 2022:

Monday, January 3, 20221 – 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (Hosted by UVA Health)
  • Church of the Incarnation, 1465 Incarnation Drive, Charlottesville, Va.
  • Drive-through and walk-up COVID-19 testing for people over the age of 6 months. No appointment needed.

Tuesday, January 4, 2022 – 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
  • Louisa County Health Department, 540 Industrial Drive, Louisa, Va.
  • Register online here. Walk-ins are available.
 
Tuesday, January 4, 2022 – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (Hosted by Next Molecular)
  • Fashion Square Mall, JCPenney Parking Lot, 1600 Rio Road, Charlottesville, Va.
  • To register call 434-972-6261 on 1/3. Walk-ins are available.
 
Tuesday, January 4, 20221 – 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm (Hosted by UVA Health)
  • Mount Zion African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Avenue, Charlottesville, Va.
  • Drive-through and walk-up COVID-19 testing for people over the age of 6 months. No appointment needed.
 
Wednesday, January 5, 2022 – 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
  • Fluvanna County Health Department, Fluvanna Health Department Parking Lot, Route 15, County Office Building
  • Register online here. Walk-ins are available.
 
Wednesday, January 5, 2022 – 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Hosted by Next Molecular)
  • Fashion Square Mall, JCPenney Parking Lot, 1600 Rio Road, Charlottesville, Va.
  • To register call 434-972-6261 on 1/3 and 1/4. Walk-ins are available.
 
Thursday, January 6, 2022 – 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Hosted by Next Molecular)
  • Fashion Square Mall, JCPenney Parking Lot, 1600 Rio Road, Charlottesville, Va.
  • To register call 434-972-6261 on 1/4 and 1/5. Walk-ins are available.
 
Thursday, January 6, 2022 – 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
  • Nelson County Health Department Parking Lot, 4038 Thomas Nelson Highway, Arrington, Va.
  • Register online here. Walk-ins are available.
 
Friday, January 7, 2022 – 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Hosted by Next Molecular)
  • Fashion Square Mall, JCPenney Parking Lot, 1600 Rio Road, Charlottesville, Va.
  • To register call 434-972-6261 on 1/5 and 1/6. Walk-ins are available.

For additional testing resources in BRHD, visit our testing webpage.
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, maintain physical distance, wash hands frequently and properly, and limit indoor social gatherings.