The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh
Monday, Jan. 16, our offices and health departments will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
However, our 2 COVID testing drive-through sites in Chatham and Liberty will be open Monday. We have one site in West Chatham County at 210 Technology Circle and one in Hinesville at James Brown Park. Both sites offer free PCR testing, no appointment required. Get more information about testing.
We’ll be back to normal operations on Tuesday.
A raccoon in the Vernonburg/Windsor Forest area of Savannah has tested positive for rabies. The Chatham County Health Department’s Environmental Health office reminds all residents to avoid contact with wild animals and ensure pets are properly vaccinated against rabies.
The raccoon was picked up by Chatham County Animal Services for testing after the animal attacked two family dogs on a residential property in south Savannah. Fortunately, the dogs are current on their rabies vaccinations, and no humans were exposed to the infected racoon.
This incident is a reminder that several species of wild animals in our area can carry rabies, including raccoons, foxes, and bats. Rabies is a potentially deadly virus that is primarily spread by infected animals.
Following these tips can protect you and your family from rabies:
Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis.
If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Chatham County Animal Services at 912-652-6575 and the Chatham County Environmental Health office at 912-356-2160.
Beginning Monday, Dec. 19, young children will have access to stronger protection against COVID-19 in the Coastal Health District. The FDA and CDC have approved the reformulated Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for ages 6 months and older. Previously, the updated vaccines were only available for ages 5 and up.
Appointments for the bivalent vaccines are available in all 8 counties of the Coastal Health District and can be scheduled online at chdcovidvax.org or by calling your local health department directly.
The reformulated vaccines are called “bivalent” because they target more than one variant of COVID. The vaccines target the original strain of the COVID-19 virus plus two omicron subvariants, which means better protection against more recent versions of the virus.
The bivalent vaccine manufactured by Pfizer is authorized as a booster dose for individuals aged 5 and older, and as a third dose for individuals aged 6 months – 4 years. The bivalent vaccine by Moderna is authorized as a booster dose for individuals 6 months of age and older.
For more information about the COVID vaccines offered by the health department in your county, visit chdcovidvax.org. Parents with questions about COVID vaccines for children are encouraged to talk to their child’s pediatrician or to their local health department.
Monday, November 28, the Savannah-area community will have an opportunity to tour an Opioid Abuse Prevention Trailer and learn to spot the hidden warning signs of opioid abuse.
The event is part of the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI), an alliance of local, state, and national organizations working to end the substance misuse crisis. The Opioid Abuse Prevention Trailer is outfitted to look like a teenager’s or young adult’s bedroom, but it is filled with hidden warning signs of substance misuse. Former law enforcement and experts point out the red flags of substance misuse based on their years of experience and discuss ways to seek help if someone is struggling with addiction.
If you suspect someone you know has started misusing opioids, early intervention is critically important. Learning the warning signs of opioid addiction can help protect your family, friends and community.
For more information, visit RALIusa.org.
UPDATE: All slots have been filled.
There are plenty of great reasons to get your COVID vaccines and boosters, but here’s another one – the Coastal Health District is offering $100 gift card incentives at a special vaccination event in December.
The vaccine clinic will be held December 13th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Howard Coffin Park, 1402 Sonny Miller Way in Brunswick. Appointments are limited and are required for this event. See appointment scheduling options below.
Pfizer primary vaccines will be available for ages 6 months and older, and bivalent booster vaccines for ages 5 and up. Anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive vaccination.
Booster guidelines are different depending on your age and your underlying health conditions, but the CDC has an interactive tool that can help you determine your eligibility for a booster dose.
–> Check Booster Dose Eligibility
All slots have been filled.
Please note: the $100 Visa gift card incentive only applies to vaccines given at the Howard Coffin Park clinic on Dec. 13th.
COVID booster shots were reformulated earlier this year to better match some of the more recent subvariants of the coronavirus. The CDC recommends that everyone age five and older get an updated booster dose at least 2 months after their last COVID-19 shot—either since their last booster dose, or since completing their primary series.
Immunity can wane over time, and booster doses help strengthen and extend your body’s defenses against COVID-19. COVID vaccines and boosters have been very effective at reducing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
The Coastal Health District has scheduled two HIV testing events in observance of World AIDS Day, including an event where every person tested gets a free turkey!
Knowing your HIV status gives you powerful information to keep you and your partner healthy. The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested.
Monday, November 21
Chatham County Health Department
1395 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Everyone who gets tested at the Nov. 21 event will receive a free frozen turkey, while supplies last. Limit one turkey per household. Must be 16 years of age or older to get tested.
Thursday, December 1st
World AIDS Day Health Fair
Ellis Square, Savannah, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Testing is confidential and results will be available in one minute. A follow-up visit will be scheduled for anyone who tests positive, and counseling will be made available to those individuals.
HIV testing is always free at all health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties and available Monday through Friday – by appointment – during regular health department hours of operation. Visit the web page of your county health department for locations and operational hours.
World AIDS Day is commemorated every year on December 1st. This year’s theme, “Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV,” encourages people to unite globally to eliminate the disparities and inequities that create barriers to HIV testing, prevention, and access to HIV care.
Due to the potential for severe weather associated with Tropical Storm Nicole, the Camden, Glynn, and Liberty County Health Departments will suspend operations Thursday, November 10. At this time, all other county health departments and Coastal Health District offices plan to be open and operational Thursday.
All clinics and offices will be closed Friday, November 11, in observance of Veteran’s Day.
As the spooky season kicks into high gear this weekend, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends the following tips to help ensure everyone has a safe, fun time while making the rounds at fall festivals, trunk-or-treats, parties, and the traditional door-to-door hunt for goodies.
If you aren’t feeling well, skip the Halloween parties and activities. In addition to being the spooky season, it is flu season. DPH recommends everyone six months old and older get the flu vaccine as soon as possible. Additionally, DPH recommends everyone six months old and older be up to date with COVID vaccination and booster shots.
Updated October 26, 2022
The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for the South Beach at the lighthouse, which is from 9th Street to the pier on St. Simons Island
The advisory was issued on October 25, 2022, after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.
Subsequent water samples taken showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisory has been lifted.
October 25, 2022
The Glynn County Health Department has issued a beach water advisory for South Beach at the lighthouse, which extends from 9th Street to the pier on St. Simons Island.
The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples at Georgia beaches throughout the year. The test screens for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria, which are found in humans and some wildlife. When a beach is under advisory, it means the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standards. Periodic advisories are not unusual, and sources of the bacteria could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste.
The advisory does NOT mean the beach is closed. Beach water advisories alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory areas. The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the areas under advisory.
Fish and other seafood caught from these areas should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters. The area will be re tested this week, and the advisory will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards.
For the most up-to-date information about beach water advisories along the Georgia coast, visit gahealthybeaches.org to access the Georgia Beach Map App. The app includes information about beach water-testing segments and the latest bacteria counts.
If you have not gotten a flu shot yet, do not wait any longer. Flu activity is already widespread in Georgia – earlier than we’ve seen in recent years.
“Every individual over the age of six months should get a flu vaccine – not just for their own protection, but to protect others around them who may be more vulnerable to the flu and its complications,” says Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., DPH commissioner. “It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so now is the time to get a flu shot.”
Flu symptoms and their intensity can vary from person to person, and can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, pregnant women, and children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old.
Flu vaccine is widely available at public health departments, doctors’ offices, grocery stores, neighborhood clinics and pharmacies. To find a location near you click on https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/. Flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as COVID vaccine, so it’s a good time to get your updated booster, too.
In some cases, healthcare providers may recommend the use of antiviral drugs that fight the flu in your body. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines and are most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptoms appearing.
There are other tried and true measures you can take to help prevent the spread of flu:
For more information about flu and how to prevent it, log on to dph.ga.gov/flu. You can monitor Georgia weekly influenza reports at https://dph.georgia.gov/epidemiology/influenza/georgia-influenza-activity. The reports are updated on Fridays.
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