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

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Omicron Spread and Prevention Measures for Holiday Gatherings

December 22nd, 2021 by CHD Communications

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

The Georgia Department of Public Health is urging Georgians to carefully follow COVID-19 prevention measures during holiday celebrations and gatherings to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

COVID case numbers are increasing daily, and the Omicron variant is spreading faster than any previous variant.

Surveillance for COVID variants is done through genomic sequencing of PCR positive test results. In Georgia, the most recent genomic sequencing is from week ending Dec. 4, and at that time, the Delta variant was responsible for 98% of new COVID cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses genomic sequencing data to project current variant proportions and now estimates Omicron accounts for more than 73% of new COVID cases in the United States. Given the rapid transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the current proportion of Omicron in Georgia is likely similar to that of the national estimate, and presumably will account for all new COVID cases in the state in the coming weeks.

Regardless of the variant, mitigation and prevention measures for COVID-19 are the same. To help prevent transmission and to reduce your risk of exposure DPH recommends:

  • Get a COVID vaccination and booster dose.
  • For young children who aren’t yet eligible for the COVID vaccine, reduce the risk of exposure by making sure the people around them are vaccinated.
  • Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth in public indoor settings.
  • Physically distance, about six feet, around people outside of your own household.
  • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces and remember that outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19, don’t host or attend a gathering.
  • Follow CDC recommendations for holiday travel.
  • Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Testing is critically important to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you have symptoms or had a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, you should be tested, regardless of your vaccination status. Consider getting a COVID test before gathering indoors with others to determine if you’re positive for COVID and to reduce the risk of spreading infection. If you test positive, you should isolate and inform close contacts. A negative test result indicates either you are not infected or that you are at low risk of spreading disease to others, even though it does not necessarily rule out an infection.

Beach Water Advisories Issued for St. Simons Island

December 21st, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Updated December 28, 2021:

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for South Beach at the Lighthouse (9th Street to the pier) on St. Simons Island. The advisory was issued on December 21, 2021, 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 the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits, therefore, the advisory has been lifted.

Updated December 22, 2021:

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted three of the four beach water advisories on St. Simons Island. The advisories were issued on December 21, 2021, 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 the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits at three of the four beaches.

Therefore, the 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.
  • Massengale Park Beach – Driftwood Dr. to Cedar St.

The advisory will remain in place for:

  • South Beach at the Lighthouse – Ninth St. to the Pier

The area will be re-tested, and the advisory lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards.

December 21, 2021:

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.
  • Massengale Park Beach – Driftwood Dr. to Cedar St.
  • South Beach at the Lighthouse – Ninth St. to the Pier
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.

Coastal Health District Recognizes COVID-19 Vaccine Anniversary

December 14th, 2021 by CHD Communications

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

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It was a milestone moment in Georgia’s fight against the pandemic when – on this date last year – the Coastal Health District was the first site in the state to receive shipments of COVID-19 vaccine when deliveries arrived in Chatham and Glynn Counties. Initial supplies of the Pfizer vaccine were limited, and the Coastal Health District worked with local hospitals and other medical providers to make sure workers on the front lines of the pandemic were able to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Demand for the shots far exceeded supply in the beginning, but the vaccination program steadily expanded. Today there are three vaccines authorized in the United States and plenty of vaccine available for all Georgia residents aged 5 and older.

“There was a true feeling of hope when the vaccine landed on our doorstep back in December 2020. It was the first sign of light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel,” said Coastal Health District Health Director, Dr. Lawton Davis.

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To date, more than 178,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered through public health in the eight-county Coastal Health District. Though vaccine is now offered at many locations including urgent care centers, hospitals, and pharmacies, initial vaccination efforts centered around health departments.

“I just can’t say enough about the incredible amount of hard work and sacrifice by our public health team. It wasn’t easy, especially in the early days when demand for vaccine outweighed supply, but they persevered and did everything possible to get our residents vaccinated,” said Davis. “It was a heavy burden and one that our folks carried with grace and determination.”

While there is no longer a shortage of vaccine, some residents are still hesitant about getting vaccinated.

“We’ve made a lot of progress in the span of a single year, but we have a long way to go,” said Davis. “COVID-19 is still a significant public health threat and there will almost certainly be more emerging variants. We know vaccine helps lessen the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 in the same way that we know seatbelts help lessen the risk of severe injury from a car accident. But these measures only protect you if you use them.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone ages five and older get vaccinated against COVID-19. To schedule an appointment through public health, go to chdcovidvax.org, or call the Coastal Health District Vaccine Call Center at 912-230-5506 on Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To find vaccination sites anywhere in the state of Georgia, go to vaccinefinder.org.

West Chatham COVID-19 Vaccination Site to Close

December 13th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, COVID-19, News |

December 13, 2021 is the last day for vaccinations at the Chatham County Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Pooler. The building will be unavailable after Dec. 13, and the Health Department is currently exploring other options for a West Chatham vaccination site.

Meanwhile, vaccination appointments are still available at the COVID-19 Vaccination Annex at 1249 Eisenhower Drive, and pediatric vaccine appointments are available at our main clinic, 1395 Eisenhower Drive. Vaccinations are also available through multiple mobile vaccine clinics. You can view a full schedule of vaccine opportunities at chdcovidvax.org.

The change does NOT impact the West Chatham COVID-19 testing operations. Testing is still available at 210 Technology Circle, on the Savannah campus of Georgia Tech. For a full testing schedule, visit covidtestsavannah.org.

Beach Water Advisory Lifted on St. Simons Island

December 7th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Updated Dec. 8, 2021:

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for Fifth Street Crossover Beach, which is from Cedar Street to Ninth Street on St. Simons Island.

The advisory was issued on December 7, 2021 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.

Dec. 7, 2021:

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a beach water advisory for the Fifth Street Crossover Beach, which is from Cedar Street to Ninth 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 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. The testing program is not related to the capsized motor vehicle carrier in St. Simons Sound.

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 area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from the area 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 and the advisory will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards. For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing page.

New COVID Variant Reinforces Need for Vaccination and Testing

November 29th, 2021 by CHD Communications

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

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID variant first detected in southern Africa. The variant has not been detected in Georgia at this time.

Named Omicron by the World Health Organization (WHO), the variant has a large number of mutations. Scientists are studying the variant to determine how quickly and easily it spreads, whether it causes more severe illness and how well the current COVID vaccines will protect against it. So far, a few dozen COVID cases caused by Omicron have been identified in South Africa, Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium.

“What is known is that COVID vaccination helps stop transmission of infection which prevents new variants from emerging,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Vaccination is more important than ever with the emergence of this new variant and the holidays just around the corner.”

All Georgians over the age of 5 are now eligible for COVID vaccination. Booster doses of vaccine are recommended for adults 18 and older who have completed their first series of vaccine.

Individuals who have symptoms of COVID or who may have been exposed to someone with COVID should get tested. Based on available data, PCR testing can detect the presence of the Omicron variant.

Click the following links for more information about free testing and vaccination in the Coastal Health District:

$50 Incentive Offered for Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccination At Special Event in McIntosh County December 7

November 29th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in COVID-19, McIntosh News, News |

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The Coastal Health District and McIntosh County Health Department are offering $50 Visa Gift Cards during a COVID-19 vaccination event on Dec. 7, 2021, in Townsend. The event will feature the single-dose Janssen vaccine by Johnson & Johnson, and gift cards will be given to the first 85 people to receive their first COVID vaccine. Booster vaccinations do not qualify for the gift cards.

“More than half of the residents of McIntosh County are still unvaccinated,” said Brooke Deverger, Nurse Manager of the McIntosh County Health Department. “We hope the gift cards will encourage people to get the vaccine, especially as we head into this season of family get-togethers and holiday travel.”

The appointment-only vaccination event will be held Thursday, Dec. 7th from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the McIntosh County Health Department, 1335 GA Highway 57 in Townsend. The giveaway is not retroactive and only applies to first doses. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is approved for anyone age 18 and older.

Appointments are required and can be scheduled at chdcovidvax.org by choosing the McIntosh County Health Department scheduling link under “Special Events.” Appointments can also be scheduled by calling 912-230-5506 Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chatham Co. Health Dept. Offers Vaccinations at Local “Feed the Hungry” Event

November 24th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, News |

The Chatham County Health Department offered flu and COVID vaccines at the 11th annual Feed the Hungry Thanksgiving Dinner in Savannah yesterday. We’re thankful for this dedicated team of public health professionals!

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Event organizer, State Representative Carl Gilliard, received his flu shot from Sierra Peebles, Nurse Manager of the Chatham County Health Department.
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Beach Water Advisory Lifted on Jekyll Island

November 23rd, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Update: November 24, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for Driftwood Beach, which is from Beach KM Marker 1 to Tallu Fish Ln on Jekyll Island.

The advisory was issued on November 23, 2021 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 advisory has been lifted.

November 23, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for Driftwood Beach, which is from Beach KM Marker 1 to Tallu Fish Ln 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. The testing program is not related to the capsized motor vehicle carrier in St. Simons Sound.

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 area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from the area 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 and the advisory will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards. For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing page.

FLETC Honors Coastal Health District and Volunteers for COVID Vaccination Efforts

November 17th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in COVID-19, Glynn News, News |

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynn County held a luncheon this week, recognizing employees of the Coastal Health District, Glynn County Health Department, and volunteers from around the county for their COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Through more than 15 separate vaccination events, over 2,700 vaccinations were given to FLETC staff and students beginning in late January of this year. The vaccination efforts allowed the center to remain open and operational, ensuring officers could continue to be trained and returned to the field.

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