First Case of Omicron Identified in Virginia |
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On Thursday, December 9, 2021, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) had been identified in Virginia. The individual who tested positive is a resident in the Northwest Region of Virginia (which includes the Blue Ridge Health District) who had no history of international travel, but did have a history of domestic travel during the exposure period.
Now that Omicron’s presence has been confirmed in Virginia, the public should take several concrete steps:
- Get vaccinated now if you haven’t already done so. Everyone ages 5 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Get boosted if you are 16+ and it’s been six or more months since you completed your Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series, or two or more months since receiving your J&J vaccine. Pfizer booster shots were approved today for individuals ages 16 and 17. Read more about this approval in the newsletter’s section below.
- Continue being diligent with prevention measures such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings and crowded outdoor spaces, social distancing, and washing your hands frequently.
Viruses change all the time, and VDH expects to see new variants of the COVID-19 virus emerge as the disease spreads. VDH, working with DCLS (the state lab) and federal partners, is actively tracking the Omicron variant - studying to learn its characteristics and to assess the threat it may pose to the public. You can review the latest variant data on the VDH Variant Dashboard, which includes data on variants at the regional level (reminder: BRHD is in the Northwest Region).
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CDC Approves Pfizer Boosters for 16-17 Year Olds |
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On December 9, 2021, the FDA amended the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, authorizing the use of a single booster dose for individuals 16 and 17 years of age at least six months after completion of primary vaccination with the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine.
“This is great news for the Commonwealth’s efforts to vaccinate as much of the state’s eligible population against COVID-19 as possible,” said State Vaccination Liaison Danny TK Avula, M.D., M.P.H. “Expanding the ranks of those eligible for a Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose in particular adds another 79,508 people to the eligible population which, in turn, will add to the strength of the line of defense we have against the spread of COVID-19.”
Boosters are available at a number of locations throughout BRHD, including pharmacies, physicians offices, the Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at Seminole Square, mobile clinics, and other community sites as set up by the District. To book your appointment for an initial vaccine series or booster, visit the BRHD website or call the BRHD COVID-19 Resource Hotline open Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm at 434-972-6261.
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Louisa County COVID Vaccine Clinic |
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BRHD will be providing free COVID-19 vaccines in Louisa County on Thursday, December 16 from 3:00-6:00pm at the Food Lion of Louisa (501 East Main Street, Louisa, 23093).
Vaccines are available for anyone 5 years and older. Appointments are preferred for ages 5-11, and walk-ups are available for anyone 12 years and older. First, second, third, and booster doses are available.
Questions or want to schedule your appointment? Call 804-835-3435 or schedule online using the zip code 23093.
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If you have an interest in maintaining and improving the health of your community, perhaps a career in public health is for you!
Currently, we are hiring a number of positions at BRHD, including:
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Free Narcan in Greene County |
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BRHD will provide free Narcan at the Greene County Health Department from 3:00-4:00pm every second Monday of each month, beginning Monday, December 13, 2021.
Individuals are trained on how to identify an overdose and properly administer Narcan, a nasal spray used to treat opioid overdoses in an emergency situation. In addition to Narcan, rapid in-home HIV test kits, condoms, lube, and more are provided for FREE.
Narcan will also be available at additional drive-thru events this month:
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Monday, December 20, 3:00-4:00pm: Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Drive, Charlottesville)
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Tuesday, December 21, 3:00-4:00pm: Nelson County Health Department (4038 Thomas Nelson Highway, Arrington)
Appointments and IDs are not required. For more information, call 434-484-0255.
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Volunteer with the Sexual Assault Resource Agency |
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The Sexual Assault Resource Agency is looking for hotline volunteers for their 24/7 crisis hotline! To provide the best service to clients, there is a mandatory application, interview, reference-check, and 40-hour training process for all incoming volunteers. SARA Hotline Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. The next training will be this January on the following dates:
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Monday, January 10, 5:30-8:30p @ Central Library (201 E Market St)
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Wednesday, January 12, 5:30-8:30p @ Central Library (201 E Market St)
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Saturday, January 15, 10:00a-4:00p @ SARA Office (335 Greenbrier Dr.)
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Monday, January 17, 5:30-8:30p @ SARA Office (335 Greenbrier Dr.)
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Wednesday, January 19, 5:30-8:30p @ Central Library (201 E Market St)
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Monday, January 24, 5:30-8:30p @ Central Library (201 E Market St)
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Wednesday, January 26, 5:30-8:30p @ Central Library (201 E Market St)
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Saturday, January 29, 10:00a-4:00p @ SARA Office (335 Greenbrier Dr.)
You must attend all trainings to be eligible to be a hotline volunteer. If necessary, you may miss one session, but it must be made up in the next cycle of trainings. For more details and to sign up, please fill out an application and contact the Crisis Services Coordinator at katie@saracville.org.
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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 Jordan Mills, BRHD COVID-19 Public Health Investigator focusing on Congregate Care Settings.
How long have you been at BRHD?
Since August 2020
What is your job?
Working within the COVID-19 Epi Team, I work daily to prevent, monitor, and respond to COVID-19 situations within high-risk congregate care settings. These settings include nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, and more.
Who are you outside of BRHD?
Before BRHD, I was at Virginia Tech getting my masters in Public Health and working at the Montgomery Health Department and Virginia Tech Athletics. After work, you can find me reading fiction novels cuddled up with my two grey tabby cats, Lawrence Hamilton and Otis Joe. I love skydiving - I've been twice and have plans to jump at least 10 more times. Fun story: I bought my fiancé skydiving tickets when he had never even been on a plane before so his first time being on a plane, he was forced to jump out of it!
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BRHD continues to host COVID 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 Resource Hotline (434-972-6261 open M-F 8am-4:30pm) or self-registering on the BRHD website.
Testing Schedule:
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Mondays: Greene County Health Department
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Tuesdays: Louisa County Health Department
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Wednesdays: Fluvanna County Health Department
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Thursdays: Nelson County Health Department
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Fridays: former J.C. Penney parking lot at Fashion Square Mall in Charlottesville/Albemarle
As a reminder, a link to test results will be sent via text message to those tested at BRHD sites. This link will direct to a secure Virginia Department of Health website where results will be available for viewing and printing. While this remains the best way to get results, for those who do not have or choose not to provide text-enabled cell phone numbers or email addresses, BRHD staff will call individuals with their test results.
In addition to the above testing options, UVA Health offers free COVID-19 PCR tests in the greater Charlottesville/Albemarle area:
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Mondays: The Church of the Incarnation, 6:00-7:30pm
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Tuesdays: Mt. Zion African Baptist Church, 5:30-7:00pm.
PCR testing in partnership with Next Molecular is also available at the former J.C. Penney parking lot in Charlottesville on Wednesday and Thursdays from 2:00-6:00pm.
All tests are FREE and weather dependent. Please visit our website for the latest testing schedule as hours may be adjusted for daylight.
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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.
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