CDC Updated Recommendation: Mask Up
On Tuesday, July 27, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new recommendations for masking. Updated recommendations include that fully vaccinated people:
  • Wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.
  • Consider wearing masks regardless of the level of transmission, especially if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease, or not fully vaccinated.
  • Get tested 3-5 days after exposure to a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.

The CDC also recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status. All updates to mask recommendations can be found on the CDC website.
BRHD Town Hall:
Back to School, Vaccines, and More
BRHD will host a live, virtual Town Hall on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 1:00pm.

The panel, made up of BRHD staff and local pediatricians, will provide answers to commonly asked questions, updates regarding vaccination efforts and back-to-school planning, and an open forum for live questions from the community.
 
Register in advance or join the live Zoom. Individuals who pre-register for the Zoom will be able to ask their questions live. Community members may also submit questions prior to the broadcast by 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 4.

This Town Hall will include:
  • Dr. Denise Bonds, BRHD Medical Director
  • Dr. Paige Perriello, Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville
  • Dr. Jeffrey Vergales, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UVA Health
  • Jen Fleisher, BRHD Vaccination Project Manager
  • Jason Elliott, BRHD Public Information Officer (Moderator)

Other ways to view the Town Hall will be on the City's Facebook, Twitter and Boxcast TV streams, as well as Comcast Channel 10 and the BRHD Facebook page.
COVID-19 Testing Sites
Beginning Friday, August 6, walk-in COVID testing will be available at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department from 5:00-7:00 p.m. each Friday. Individuals may call 434-972-6261 ahead to reserve an appointment, but walk-ins are welcome. Testing is available to anyone 6 years and older.

Free walk-up testing continues to be offered by UVA on Monday and Tuesday evenings. No appointment is necessary.

Several CVS and Walgreens pharmacies also offer walk-in and scheduled COVID-19 tests. For more information or to schedule a test, contact these pharmacies directly.

For more information on local testing resources, visit our testing webpage or call our hotline: 434-972-6261.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
Vaccines are now available at each of our BRHD health departments. Vaccines will be offered at a different office, one day every week from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-3:30 p.m.: 
  • 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, pop-up events, and 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-4:30 p.m: 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!
CDC: Double Vaccination Not Recommended
At this time, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) does not recommend “double vaccination” to increase protection against COVID-19. If you are fully vaccinated (at least 14 days have passed since your final shot), additional shots or boosters are not currently needed. Instead, individuals who want more protection from infection are encouraged to wear face masks, avoid crowded or poorly ventilated areas, maintain physical distance, and wash hands regularly. 

Vaccination remains our most effective tool in preventing severe illness, death, and hospitalizations as a result of COVID-19 infections, but the more mitigation strategies we employ, the healthier we will stay. 

Anyone who has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged to do so and can find information on vaccines in their area by visiting vaccines.gov.
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 Sandy Getchell-White, COVID Case Investigator!

How long have you been at BRHD?
Since October 2020
 
What is your job?
As Case Investigator, I interview and advise people who test positive for COVID-19. I began working with the vaccine team in April 2021 where I help with scheduling vaccines.

Who are you outside of BRHD?
I have worked in a clinical lab for 37 years. The last 13 years were as the manager of Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics - a.k.a., the people at UVA who give us our results for COVID - I'm very proud of them! I retired from the lab in 2010 and started a professional pet sitting business which has kept me and my 4 other helpers very busy until COVID - when no one could go anywhere. The business is beginning to pick up again and that is my passion these days. I am still pet sitting for a few clients and am lucky to have my crew to help with the rest. We even had about 100 pet families at one time!
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.