BRHD Releases 2023 Annual Report

Many people will take this time of year to look back and reflect on the great things accomplished in 2023. Around here, we’re doing the same thing!

We’re proud to present the BRHD Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2023 (June 2022 - July 2023). This report provides a detailed breakdown of the phenomenal work our teams have accomplished across our health department programs. Whether it’s our well-known resources like clinical services and immunizations, or programs you may not be as familiar with like septic tank inspections and maternal child health, we covered it all! 

You can read the full FY23 Annual Report and find past Annual Reports on our website.

Stay Well this Winter!

In addition to COVID-19, other respiratory viruses like influenza and RSV are spreading throughout our community. The flu virus mainly spreads by direct contact with a sick person or through breathing in droplets from a sick person talking, sneezing, or coughing. In less frequent cases, the flu may spread when someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. With RSV, the main pathways of transmission are the same as the flu, though transmission via infected surfaces is more common with RSV.  



One very important way to prevent becoming seriously ill is to get vaccinated. While BRHD does not currently offer RSV vaccines, we are holding an extended clinic for flu and COVID-19 vaccines! Join us Monday, December 18 from 1:00-5:00pm at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Drive) via Door #1 for a special walk-in only vaccination clinic.  

In addition to vaccines, there are many ways to stay healthy this season! Some tips on avoiding respiratory illness-causing viruses this season include:  

• Wash your hands frequently. If a sink isn’t available, use hand sanitizer 
• Stay home if you’re not feeling well 
• Wear a mask in populated spaces and around those at high risk of complications 
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow - not your hand!  
• Avoid close contact with others and sharing items (like cups or utensils) 
• Stay up-to-date on the latest vaccines, like flu and COVID-19 vaccines 

Especially if a member of or staying close to vulnerable populations, using multiple layers of prevention is key to keeping viral transmission as low as possible. To learn more about how to best keep yourself and those around you safe, visit the CDC’s RSV, flu, and COVID-19 prevention webpages. 

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests through USPS

Did you know? Free at-home COVID-19 test kit ordering from the United States Postal Service (USPS) is back! As of November 20, every residential household is eligible to place one order per address. If your household didn‘t place an order for your address when the program reopened on September 23, you can place two orders now - still for free! Each order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.

Visit the USPS COVID-19 Test Kit Ordering webpage to order your tests now. Please note you may receive test kits that display a passed expiration date. The FDA has extended the expiration dates. Find the full list of extended expiration dates on the FDA At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Test webpage. 

An Update from the CHIP

This week’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) update comes from the Digital Access + Skills workgroup. We’re proud to congratulate CHIP Partner Albemarle County for its Digital Inclusion Trailblazer designation. Recognized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance for setting a national standard of excellence in digital inclusion work, the County's Broadband Office convenes community partners to bring high-speed internet, skills training, and device distribution to the District’s residents.

Your organization can join the Regional Digital Equity Coalition and join an upcoming training to become Digital Navigators – January 23-24. For information on the free training or about the Coalition, contact BRHD’s CHA/CHIP Program Officer Jen Fleisher.

BRHD offices will close at 12:00pm on Friday, December 22 and remain closed through Monday, December 25.

We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, December 26 at 8:00am.