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

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Georgians 16+ Eligible for COVID Vaccine

March 24th, 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) and Governor Brian Kemp announced the state will expand its COVID vaccine eligibility beginning March 25, 2021, to include all Georgians aged 16 and older. Increased COVID vaccine supply and significant progress in vaccinating Georgia seniors, our most vulnerable population, allows the state to move forward and to ensure all vaccine doses are being put into arms.

Vaccination, along with strict compliance with basic prevention measures – wear a mask, stay six feet from others, avoid large gatherings, wash your hands frequently – will help Georgia stop the spread of COVID-19.

These measures are critically important as SARs-CoV-2 variants continue to circulate and increase in Georgia. Currently, there are 367 confirmed COVID cases with variants statewide; 351 cases with the UK variant (B.1.1.7), 15 cases with the South Africa variant (B.1.351), and 1 case with the Brazil variant (P.1). These variants appear to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19.

Anyone with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection. Follow the advice of your health care provider about what you should do while you wait for your test results. COVID testing not only helps DPH control and mitigate infection, but it also provides valuable information about variants when positive test results are sequenced.

To schedule a vaccination appointment at a health department in the Coastal Health District, visit chdcovidvax.org. To schedule an appointment at a GEMA mass vaccination site, visit myvaccinegeorgia.com. Or, click here to view information and links for other vaccine providers in our area.

Important note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine approved for teens 16 and 17 years old. Please schedule an appointment at the Chatham County Health Department, Glynn County Health Department, CVS or Walgreens or at one of the GEMA mass vaccination sites to ensure Pfizer vaccine is available.

Beach Advisories Lifted on St. Simons and Tybee Islands

March 18th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, Glynn News, News |

Updated March 18, 2021:

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

The advisories were issued on March 16, 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 show the bacteria level dropped below the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories have been lifted.

March 16, 2021:

The Glynn and Chatham County Health Departments have issued water quality advisories for beach locations on St. Simons and Tybee Islands. 

The areas under advisory are:

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

The advisory is only for the area specified above and does not impact other beach areas on the island. There is no way of knowing if going into water that is under advisory will result in illness. However, beach water advisories are to alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact. An area under advisory does not mean the beach is closed.

Water samples are collected routinely on Georgia’s islands throughout the year. The samples are tested for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria which is found in warm blooded animals including humans but also birds, raccoons, deer, dolphins and other wildlife. It is difficult to determine exactly where the bacteria come from, but some sources could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste. When a beach is under advisory, it means that the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.

The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from this area 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, and the advisories will be lifted when tests show the bacteria levels meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.

For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing Program page.

Appointments Available for Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Clinics Saturday, March 13 in Chatham County

March 11th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, COVID-19, News |

Appointments are now available for 7 different COVID-19 vaccination clinics happening throughout Chatham County on Saturday, March 13. Six of the clinics will offer the new Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine, and one clinic will offer Pfizer.

First availability was given to local educators, school staff, and childcare workers. Now the remaining appointments are available to anyone who currently qualifies for vaccination. This includes all adults over the age of 65 and their caregivers, educators/school staff in pre-K through 12th grade, early childcare center employees, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers, parents of children with complex medical conditions, funeral home workers, healthcare workers, emergency first responders, and residents/staff of long-term care facilities.

Participating providers include the Chatham County Health Department, Coastal Care Partners, Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care, Georgetown Drug Company, Hospice Savannah, J.C. Lewis Primary Healthcare, Memorial Health, Pooler Pharmacy, St. Josephs/Candler Health System, and the Coastal Health District.

Saturday Clinics, March 13, 2021

Notes:

  • Six clinics are offering Johnson & Johnson, and one clinic (St. Joseph’s/Candler) is offering Pfizer.
  • Please wear short sleeve clothing.
  • Do not arrive early for your appointment as this creates crowding at the event location.
  • Health insurance is not required and there is no out-of-pocket cost for vaccination. However, if you have insurance, please bring your health insurance information. Some providers may bill the health insurance company, but you will not be billed directly for vaccination.

Chatham County Health Department with J.C. Lewis Primary Healthcare:

  • Where: Health Department Clinic at 1395 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah
  • Vaccine: Johnson & Johnson

Coastal Care Partners and SCCPSS:

  • Where: Hesse K-8 School, 9116 Whitefield Ave, Savannah
  • Vaccine: Johnson & Johnson

Georgetown Drug Company

  • Where: 1080 King George Blvd, Savannah
  • Vaccine: Johnson & Johnson

Hospice Savannah

  • Where: Gulfstream at 171 Crossroads Parkway
  • Vaccine: Johnson & Johnson

Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah (at GenerationOne location)

  • Where: GenerationOne, 1100 Eisenhower Drive
  • Vaccine: Johnson & Johnson

Pooler Pharmacy

  • Where: Pooler Pharmacy (NEW LOCATION) 1557 Pooler Pkwy, Suite 400 in Pooler (in front of Lowe’s)
  • Vaccine: Johnson & Johnson

St. Josephs/Candler: PFIZER ONLY

  • Where: Good Samaritan Clinic at 4704 Augusta Rd., Garden City
  • Vaccine: PFIZER ONLY

Local Healthcare Providers Offer COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for Educators

March 8th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, COVID-19, News |

Local healthcare providers in Chatham County are partnering to offer several mass vaccination clinics for educators and school staff. The clinics will be held in various locations throughout Chatham County the weekend of March 13-14. Details are being shared directly with educators and school staff through local public and private school administrators.

Participating providers include the Chatham County Health Department, Coastal Care Partners, Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care, Georgetown Drug Company, Hospice Savannah, J.C. Lewis Primary Healthcare, Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah (at GenerationOne location), Pooler Pharmacy, St. Josephs/Candler Health System, and the Coastal Health District.

“Our teachers and school employees play such a critical role in our local communities, and we need to offer vaccination opportunities that won’t disrupt instructional time,” said Dr. Lawton Davis, Health Director of the Coastal Health District. “This partnership among healthcare providers is a great example of a community response to a community-wide health emergency.”

All other Georgians eligible for vaccination can make an appointment with local healthcare providers during regular clinic hours. Appointments with the Coastal Health District can be scheduled online at chdcovidvax.org or by calling 912-230-5506 during business hours.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Offered March 10 at Howard Coffin Park in Brunswick

March 4th, 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 Coastal Health District will hold a COVID-19 vaccination event on Wednesday, March 10th at Howard Coffin Park at 1402 Sonny Miller Way in Brunswick. Appointments will be available after hours to accommodate educators, school staff, childcare workers.

The clinic will be held from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. by appointment. Appointments can be scheduled online at chdcovidvax.org or by phone at 912-230-5506.

According to the new phase of eligibility that begins in Georgia on March 8th, the following individuals will be eligible for vaccination at this clinic:

[JPG, 48.56 KB]
  • Educators and school staff in pre-K through 12th grade (public and private school),
  • Employees of early childcare facilities,
  • Adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities and their caregivers,
  • Parents of children with complex medical conditions,
  • Healthcare workers,
  • Emergency first responders,
  • Adults age 65 and older and their caregivers,
  • Staff and residents of long-term care facilities, and
  • Funeral home workers who come into direct contact with the deceased.

You must be a Georgia resident or employed in Georgia to be vaccinated, but you do not have to reside in Glynn County. The event is open to any qualifying Georgian. If you have health insurance, the policy will be billed, but there is no out-of-pocket cost for vaccination and insurance is not required.

The clinic will utilize Pfizer vaccine, and all who are vaccinated at this event will return in three weeks for the second shot in the two-dose series. Please remember to dress in short sleeves to facilitate vaccination. To avoid crowding at the event, please do not arrive early for your appointment.

Beach Advisory Lifted on St. Simons Island

March 2nd, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Updated March 3, 2021:

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for South Beach at the lighthouse, which is from the 9th Street to the pier on St. Simons Island.

The advisory was issued on March 2, 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 show the bacteria level has dropped below the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisory has been lifted.

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a water quality advisory for South Beach at the lighthouse, which extends from 9th Street to the pier on St. Simons Island.

graphic showing the beach water advisory signs [JPG, 2.57 MB]The advisory is only for the area specified above and does not impact other beach areas on the island. There is no way of knowing if going into water that is under advisory will result in illness. However, beach water advisories are to alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact. An area under advisory does not mean the beach is closed.

Water samples are collected routinely on Georgia’s islands throughout the year. The samples are tested for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria which is found in warm blooded animals including humans but also birds, raccoons, deer, dolphins and other wildlife. It is difficult to determine exactly where the bacteria come from, but some sources could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste. When a beach is under advisory, it means that the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.

The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from this 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 tests show the bacteria levels meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.

For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing Program page.

Beach Advisory Lifted on Jekyll Island

January 26th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Updated January 28, 2021:

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for Middle Beach at the Convention Center, which is from the beach pavilion to Corsair Beach Park on Jekyll Island.

The advisory was issued on January 26, 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 show the bacteria level has dropped below the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisory has been lifted.

January 26, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for Middle Beach at the Convention Center, which is from the beach pavilion to Corsair Beach Park on Jekyll Island.

graphic showing the beach water advisory signs [JPG, 2.57 MB]The advisory is only for the area specified above and does not impact the other beach areas on the island. There is no way of knowing if going into water that is under advisory will result in illness. However, beach water advisories are to alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact. An area under advisory does not mean the beach is closed.

Water samples are collected routinely on these islands throughout the year. The samples are tested for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria which is found in warm blooded animals including humans but also birds, raccoons, deer, dolphins and other wildlife. It is difficult to determine exactly where the bacteria come from, but some sources could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste. When a beach is under advisory, it means that the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.

The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from this 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 tests show the bacteria levels meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.

For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing Program page.

Changes Coming to COVID-19 Civic Center Testing Site

January 14th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, COVID-19, News |

As the Chatham County Health Department works to expand its COVID-19 response, changes are coming to the COVID-19 testing site at the Savannah Civic Center.

Beginning Monday, January 18th, operation of the Civic Center site will be managed by Mako Medical, a North Carolina-based company that has contracted with the Georgia Department of Health to provide testing services. The change only affects testing operations in Chatham County; the testing process in all other Coastal Health District counties is unchanged.

This shift at the Civic Center site will free up health department staff and resources to focus on COVID-19 vaccinations. There will be no reduction in testing availability, no out-of-pocket costs, and no appointment required.

Anyone requesting a test through public health in Chatham County must pre-register through Mako Medical but will not be assigned a specific appointment day or time. Individuals with a registration can come to the Civic Center site any time during operational hours for testing.

Health insurance will be billed for those with insurance, but no one will be charged a fee or turned away.

To register for testing at the Savannah Civic Center site beginning January 18th, you can schedule a test online at covidtestsavannah.com. For all other public health testing locations, visit covid19.dph.ga.gov.

For telephone scheduling assistance, call the COVID-19 Testing Call Center at 1-912-230-9744 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Beach Advisories Lifted in Glynn County

January 12th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Updated January 13, 2021:

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisories. Subsequent water samples showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories for all four beach locations have been lifted.

January 12, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has issued water quality advisories for beach locations on Jekyll and St. Simons Islands.

The advisory locations are:

  • East Beach Old Coast Guard Station (10th Street to Driftwood Drive) on St. Simons Island,
  • Fifth Street Crossover Beach (Cedar Street to 9th Street) on St. Simons Island,
  • Driftwood Beach (Beach KM Marker 1 to Tallu Fish Lane) on Jekyll Island, and
  • North Beach at Dexter Lane (Tallu Fish Lane to Brice Lane) on Jekyll Island.

graphic showing the beach water advisory signs [JPG, 2.57 MB]These advisories are only for the areas specified above and do not impact the other beach areas on these islands. There is no way of knowing if going into water that is under advisory will result in illness. However, these beach water advisories are to alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact. An area under advisory does not mean the beach is closed.

Water samples are collected routinely on these islands throughout the year. The samples are tested for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria which is found in warm blooded animals including humans but also birds, raccoons, deer, dolphins and other wildlife. It is difficult to determine exactly where the bacteria come from, but some sources could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste. When a beach is under advisory, it means that the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.

The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from this area 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, and the advisories will be lifted when tests show the bacteria levels meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.

For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing Program page.

COVID-19 Vaccination Expands to Adults 65+ and First Responders on Jan. 11

January 6th, 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 |

Update on 1/11/21:

To ensure we have adequate vaccine to fulfill appointment requests, including second doses, the Coastal Health District has temporarily paused appointment scheduling for new requests.

Individuals who are already in our system and awaiting call-back will still be given an appointment.

Click here for the latest vaccine information.

Beginning January 11th, COVID-19 vaccination in the Coastal Health District will be available to adults age 65 and older, their caregivers, and emergency first responders. Vaccination of healthcare workers is already underway and will continue. There is no cost for COVID-19 vaccination through public health.

All health departments in the 8-county district will begin scheduling vaccination appointments by phone on Thursday, January 7th. “We are very excited to start this next phase, and we expect a lot of phone calls,” said Dr. Lawton Davis, Health Director of the Coastal Health District. “Supply is not going to meet demand right away, so we’re asking our communities for patience during this rollout.”

Hundreds of other healthcare providers across the state are also enrolling as vaccine providers. “This is a monumental effort, and one that can’t be accomplished through public health alone,” said Dr. Davis. “If you are in this expanded phase 1a group, you may also want to check with your pharmacy or doctor’s office to see if they’re offering vaccine as well.”

A list of telephone numbers for scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments in the Coastal Health District is available at coastalhealthdistrict.org/covidvaccine/.

View our Frequently Asked Questions page for more details.

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