The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh

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Posts by CHD Communications

Survey: Are Public Health Clinical Services Needed in West Chatham County?

July 7th, 2022 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, News |

Hey there West Chatham residents – we need to hear from you!

Chatham County is exploring the possibility of including public health services in a new multipurpose government facility near the airport serving Pooler, Garden City, Bloomingdale, Port Wentworth and surrounding areas.

Georgia Southern University has developed a short survey to assess the need. Please take a moment to click the link and weigh in – the more participation we get, the better we can understand our community’s needs. Share widely!

Survey Link –> https://georgiasouthern.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e4moFzpv6TjR4yO

Chatham Co. Health Dept. Holds Teen Vaccine Clinics in July and August; Meningitis Booster Shot Required for 11th Graders

July 5th, 2022 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, News |

The Chatham County Health Department will hold several meningitis vaccination clinics for teens in July and August to help local students get up to date on required school vaccines. This fall, all Georgia students going into 11th grade who are at least 16 years of age must receive a booster shot to protect against meningitis.

“This new booster shot requirement became effective last summer,” said Chatham County Health Department Nurse Manager Dr. Sierra Peebles, “but this school year will be the first time the requirement is strictly enforced. We want to make this easy and convenient for families, so we’ve scheduled several special clinics for teens who need this booster.”

Six vaccination events for teens will be held at the Eisenhower Clinic at 1395 Eisenhower Drive from 3-6 p.m. on the following dates:

  • July 14
  • July 21
  • August 4,
  • August 11
  • August 18
  • August 25

Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the Chatham County Health Department at 912-356-2441. A parent or guardian must accompany the child to the appointment. Most insurance will be accepted, and a nominal administration fee will be charged for those without insurance.

The meningococcal booster shot helps prevent meningococcal disease, a bacterial infection that is very serious and can be deadly in a matter of hours. Meningitis is a swelling of the brain and spinal cord and can result in brain damage, hearing loss, or worse. Disease levels increase in adolescence starting around age 11, and peak around age 19 years. Georgia students already receive a meningococcal vaccination before entering 7th grade, and this new booster will provide added protection during these peak years of risk.

COVID-19 Vaccine for Younger Children Now Available at the Glynn County Health Department; Coming Soon to Camden County

June 29th, 2022 by CHD Communications

Posted in Camden News, COVID-19, Glynn News, McIntosh News, News |

Beginning Thursday, June 30, 2022, children aged 6 months – 4 years will be able to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Glynn County Health Department in Brunswick. Beginning July 7, 2022, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months – 5 years will be available at the Camden County Health Department in St. Marys.

Appointments are required and can be scheduled online:

If you need assistance scheduling an appointment you may also call the health department directly.

“I know there are parents who have been waiting eagerly for this moment, so even their youngest children can have the benefit of vaccine protection,” said Dr. Lawton Davis, Health Director of the Coastal Health District. “Vaccination is the best way to safeguard children against severe illness and long-lasting health impacts from COVID-19 infection.”

While children and adolescents are typically at lower risk than adults of becoming severely ill or hospitalized from COVID-19, it is still possible. COVID-19 has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death, and tens of thousands of children and teens have been hospitalized with COVID-19. Side effects to the COVID-19 vaccines are typically mild and subside in one to two days — like soreness in the arm, fatigue, headaches, or a slight fever.

You do not have to be a local resident to receive the vaccine at the Glynn or Camden County Health Departments. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the vaccination regardless of insurance status.

Additional health departments in the Coastal Health District expect to offer COVID vaccination for this younger population soon. For more information and the latest on availability, please visit covid19.gachd.org/vaccine.

Chatham Co. Health Dept. Main Clinic Reopens

May 30th, 2022 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, News |

Updated June 1, 2022

The AC system at the Chatham County Health Department’s main clinic has been repaired, and the clinic will open Thursday, June 2, 2022 as normal.

Updated May 31, 2022:

The main clinic, dental clinic, and vital records office of the Chatham County Health Department at 1395 Eisenhower Drive will remain closed while the air conditioning system undergoes repairs. Clients with impacted appointments will be contacted to reschedule.

The closure does not impact Environmental Health services, or services at the COVID-19 Vaccination Annex, the COVID-19 Testing Site, or the Midtown Clinic at 1602 Drayton Street.

All services will resume as soon as the necessary parts have arrived and the air conditioning system is again operational.

Original post: May 30, 2022

The main clinic and vital records office of the Chatham County Health Department will be closed on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, as the air conditioning system is repaired. Clients with impacted appointments will be contacted to reschedule.

The following services will be unavailable May 31 at the main clinic at 1395 Eisenhower Drive:

  • Clinical services
  • Child dental services
  • Vital records

The closure does not impact Environmental Health services, or services at the COVID-19 Vaccination Annex, the COVID-19 Testing Site, or the Midtown Clinic at 1602 Drayton Street.

All services are anticipated to resume at the main clinic on Wednesday, June 1, once the air conditioning system is operational.

Water Quality Advisories Lifted for St. Simons Island Beaches

May 10th, 2022 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Updated May 11, 2022:

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the bacteria-related beach water advisories on St. Simons Island.

Advisories have been lifted for:

  • North Beach at Goulds Inlet – Fifteenth St. to Tenth St.
  • East Beach Old Coast Guard Station – Tenth St. to Driftwood Dr.

The advisories were issued on May 10, 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 showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories have been lifted.

May 10, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has issued beach water advisories for the following beach locations on St. Simons Island:

  • North Beach at Goulds Inlet – Fifteenth St. to Tenth St.
  • East Beach Old Coast Guard Station – Tenth St. to Driftwood Dr.
graphic showing the beach water advisory signs [JPG, 2.57 MB]

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 areas will be re-tested this week, and the advisories will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards. For more information, visit our beach water testing page.

Free At-Home COVID Test Kits Now Available at County Health Departments

May 10th, 2022 by CHD Communications

Posted in Bryan News, Camden News, Chatham News, COVID-19, Effingham News, Glynn News, Liberty News, Long News, McIntosh News, News |

Over the counter COVID-19 test kits are convenient and offer quick results, and now they’re available for free at your local county health department in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties. The tests, also called at-home tests or self-tests, can be taken anywhere, and work whether or not you have symptoms. The rapid antigen tests give results in just a few minutes and do not need to be dropped off at a laboratory.

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“Testing is a valuable tool for protecting our communities,” said Dr. Lawton Davis, Health Director of the Coastal Health District. “It’s a good idea to take a COVID test if you start having symptoms, if you’ve been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or if you’re going to gather with a group of people and want to make sure you’re not infected. We’re excited to increase access to these at-home tests, making them available for free to everyone in our communities.”

To get a free at-home test kit, visit one of the local county health departments or CARE centers in the 8-county Coastal Health District and request a test kit. Household limits apply. You do not have to provide health insurance information and no ID checks are required.

Click here for more information about how to use a self-test kit and what to do if you test positive.

Beach Water Advisories Lifted on Tybee, St. Simons

April 19th, 2022 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, Glynn News, News |

Updated April 21, 2022:

The Chatham and Glynn County Health Departments have lifted the bacteria-related beach water advisories on Tybee and St. Simons Island.

Advisories have been lifted for:

  • Tybee South Beach at Chatham Street – from 18th Street to Inlet Avenue on Tybee Island, and
  • Fifth Street Crossover Beach – from Cedar Street to 9th Street on St. Simons Island.

The advisories were issued on April 19, 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 showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories have been lifted.

April 19, 2022:

The Chatham and Glynn County Health Departments have issued beach water advisories for the following beach locations:

  • Tybee South Beach at Chatham Street – from 18th Street to Inlet Avenue on Tybee Island, and
  • Fifth Street Crossover Beach – from Cedar Street to 9th Street on St. Simons Island.
graphic showing the beach water advisory signs [JPG, 2.57 MB]

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples at coastal 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 areas will be re-tested this week, and the advisories will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards. For more information, visit our beach water testing page.

Beach Water Advisories Lifted in Glynn County

March 22nd, 2022 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Updated March 23, 2022:

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the bacteria-related beach water advisories on St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.

Advisories have been lifted for:

  • Massengale Park Beach – from Driftwood Dr. to Cedar St. on St. Simons Island, and
  • Great Dunes Beach – from the Beach Pavilion to Corsair Beach Park on Jekyll Island.

The advisories were issued on March 22, 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 showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories have been lifted.

March 22, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has issued beach water advisories for the following beach locations:

  • Massengale Park Beach – from Driftwood Dr. to Cedar St. on St. Simons Island, and
  • Great Dunes Beach – from the Beach Pavilion to Corsair Beach Park on Jekyll Island.
graphic showing the beach water advisory signs [JPG, 2.57 MB]

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples at Glynn County 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 areas will be re-tested this week, and the advisories will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards. For more information, visit our beach water testing page.

COVID-19 Testing Site to Close in Camden County

March 16th, 2022 by CHD Communications

Posted in Camden News, COVID-19, News |

A significant decrease in demand for COVID testing has prompted public health officials to close the COVID-19 testing site at the Camden County Health Department in St. Marys. The last day for testing at this site is Thursday, March 17, 2022.

“We’ve done more than 5,000 COVID tests in Camden County over the last two years, and we’re proud to have served our community in this way,” said Dr. Lawton Davis, Health Director of the Coastal Health District. “There was a time when testing options were limited and demand was high. But the landscape has changed – demand has fallen sharply, and there are many other options for COVID testing in the area. It’s time for us to scale back, with the knowledge that if the situation changes in the future we can expand again if necessary.”

Several local healthcare providers in the area offer COVID testing, and at-home self-test kits can be ordered for free from the federal government at covidtests.gov. COVID testing by public health is also available six days a week in Glynn County on Kemble Avenue, across from the Emergency Care Center of Southeast Georgia Health System.

Click here for more information about COVID-19 testing options through public health in the Coastal Health District.

Powdered Infant Formula Recall Expanded; Five Reports of Bacterial Infection in Infants

March 4th, 2022 by CHD Communications

Posted in Bryan News, Camden News, Chatham News, Effingham News, Glynn News, Liberty News, Long News, McIntosh News, News |

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The following press release was issued from the Georgia Department of Public Health:

A recall of powdered infant formula is expanding to include a specialty formula for infants with certain dietary needs. Abbott Nutrition is now recalling one lot of Similac PM 60/40 in addition to select lots of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare formulas manufactured in its Sturgis, Michigan, facility. The products are sold throughout the U.S. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging parents and caregivers of infants to check their powdered infant formula before using it.

The recall for Similac PM 60/40 includes lot numbers 27032K80 on cans and 27032K800 on cases.

The previously recalled powdered infant formulas – Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare – can be identified by the 7-to-9-digit code and expiration date on the bottom of the package. Do not use these brands if they meet all 3 of the following conditions:

  • the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37 and
  • the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
  • the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

Parents can also check Similac’s recall website or call 800-986-8540 and follow the instructions provided to find out if a formula they use is included in the recall. If a child’s regular formula is not available, parents should consult with their child’s healthcare provider for recommendations on changing feeding practices.

Georgia WIC participants may return, or exchange recalled formula to the place of purchase or contact their WIC clinic to exchange for replacement vouchers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating after five babies in three states (Minnesota, Ohio, Texas) became sick with bacterial infections after consuming the products. Four of the complaints concerned Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one complaint was Salmonella infection. All five illnesses resulted in hospitalization and Cronobacter may have contributed to death in two infants.

Additional recall information is available on the FDA website or the CDC’s website https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/outbreaks/infant-formula.html.

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