Celebrating Public Health Week
Happy National Public Health Week! This week, we have reflected on our public health accomplishments, ongoing challenges, and upcoming opportunities for reducing disparities and improving health. Over the past two years, our team has grown exponentially in order to meet the needs of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve risen to the challenge, from contact tracing, testing, to vaccinating, and everything in between! But don’t think it ends there – our local health departments offers a myriad of services and programs outside of COVID-19 response. Ever wondered who does your well inspections or makes sure your local restaurants are up to code with their hygiene practices? BRHD does this and so much more! Thank you to our dedicated public health BRHD colleagues, local healthcare providers, and everyone in the community who continues to aid in improving our community’s health.

Learn more about public health in Virginia and how you can get involved at www.iampublichealthva.org.
COVID-19 Data Update
Over the past two weeks, BRHD has been conducting quality assurance (QA) to clean COVID-19 case data from 2021 and process the backlog of data from the Omicron surge in early 2022. This data QA process has led to significant increases and decreases in case counts and changes in localities that cases are assigned to throughout the District. This has impacted the CDC Level of Transmission data. For example, Albemarle County recently went from “low” to “medium” level of transmission when our local data QA re-assigned cases from City of Charlottesville to Albemarle County.

BRHD is working to address the data QA issues and believes the CDC Level of Transmission data will be more reflective of what is actually happening in our communities over the next few weeks.

Pictured below is a table showing actual case counts, by day, per each BRHD locality from April 1 through April 7, 2022. You can find the latest, most accurate data for COVID-19 in our community on our BRHD COVID-19 data portal.
COVID-19 Vaccine & Booster Reminders
For some, it’s time for your second booster shot. For others, it’s not too late for your first COVID-19 vaccine. “Over seven million Virginians have received a COVID-19 vaccine dose, an incredible milestone in our path towards normalcy and demonstrates that Virginia is leading in the fight against COVID-19, once again. I will continue to encourage everyone to get the vaccine, as it’s the best method to prevent serious illness from the virus,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin this week. 
 
In last week’s newsletter, we shared the latest CDC guidance on second dose boosters for certain populations. With these new changes, second boosters have become widely available to those who qualify. There are a few ways to get a booster (or any COVID-19 vaccines): 
  • Schedule an appointment online here for an upcoming clinic or vaccine site.
  • Visit any of our BRHD vaccine sites - walk-in boosters are available.
  • Call our COVID-19 Resource Hotline Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm, where our operators will be more than happy to help you make an appointment over the phone. 
  • Read below in the newsletter to see upcoming events where our mobile unit “MOBI” will be onsite providing free COVID-19 vaccines.

Additionally, many of the local pharmacies and primary care providers in the area are offering COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. You will find several pharmacy locations listed on our website and may consider reaching out to them directly for an appointment. 

To accommodate the latest demand for booster shots, BRHD health departments are expanding clinic hours. Please visit our website for the latest clinic schedules. Walk-ins are available at each clinic on a limited basis. If you choose to make an appointment, you can do so on the BRHD website or by calling the BRHD COVID-19 Hotline: 434-972-6261.
Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt
Egg-cited for Easter? Get boosted in time for your holiday celebrations during the Louisa County Parks & Recreation’s Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt in Walton Park! We’ll be offering free COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5+ and boosters for ages 12+, as applicable. Appointments are preferred for anyone 5-11 years of age, but walk-ins are welcome. 

Look for Mobi, BRHD’s Mobile Health Unit, from 11:00am-1:00pm at Walton Park on Saturday, April 9. We'll also have free N95s!
 
To book your appointment, visit our website or call 434-972-6261.
Corner Store Garden Center
It’s that time of year to start shopping for greenery, so why not get a free vaccine at the same time? We’ll be traveling to the Corner Store Garden Center to offer free COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5+ and boosters for ages 12+, as applicable. Appointments are preferred for anyone 5-11 years of age, but walk-ins are welcome. 

Look for Mobi, BRHD’s Mobile Health Unit, from 11am-1pm at the Corner Store Garden Center in Ruckersville on Sunday, April 10. We'll also have free N95s!
 
To book your appointment, visit our website or call 434-972-6261.
April COVID-19 Testing Schedule
BRHD hosts free COVID-19 PCR testing in each locality one day every week from 4:30-6:30pm. Appointments are not required, but may be made by calling the BRHD COVID-19 Resource Hotline (434-972-6261, open M-F 8am-4:30pm) or self-registering on the BRHD website. Our clinic locations will rotate weekly this month, so check our website for April’s schedule. 
 
In addition to the above testing options, UVA Health offers free COVID-19 PCR tests:
  • Mondays: The Church of the Incarnation, 6:00-7:30pm
  • Tuesdays: Mt. Zion African Baptist Church, 5:30-7:00pm

Next Molecular offers free PCR tests at the former JCPenney parking lot in Charlottesville on Fridays from 3:30-6:30pm.
 
Routine COVID-19 testing continues to be available throughout the community, and can be found on the BRHD COVID-19 testing webpage.
Listening to the Living: Centering Black Women’s Birth Experiences
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rates compared to 49 other industrialized countries. Infant mortality, a key indicator of population health, in the U.S. ranks 33rd out of 36 countries. For Black birthing persons and their babies in the U.S., survival rates are worse than any other racial demographic. In America, Black women are more than twice as likely to die from a pregnancy related cause, and Black babies are about twice as likely to die in the first year of life. In some regions, the Black maternal mortality rate is four times as high. Local outcomes mirror national trends and show that racism makes an alarming impact on health outcomes for Black mothers and babies in the Blue Ridge Health District.

Join us for a special virtual event the evening of April 12th from 5:30pm to 8pm for “Listening to the Living: Centering Black Women’s Birth Experiences.” We will explore and bring attention to Black birth disparities and issue a call to action for improving pregnancy and birth outcomes locally. This unique virtual event will feature Dr. Arthur James, MD FACOG, a nationally recognized leader in Black maternal health and an expert on the driving forces behind racial disparities in birth outcomes. The program includes local research on Black women’s birth experiences, and highlights a listening session with local women to tell their personal stories towards understanding what leads to birth disparities. A panel will follow, with a charge to the community to build solutions.

Participants must register in advance online here.