Georgia Coastal Health District

Halloween is full of longstanding traditions like trick-or-treating and haunted houses, but some of those customs can put you at higher risk of getting or spreading COVID-19. Communities are encouraged to think outside of the box when considering Halloween activities this year.

“There are plenty of alternatives that will allow children and adults to enjoy the holiday safely,” said Dr. Lawton Davis, District Health Director for the Coastal Health District. “The key is to plan ahead and come up with ways to celebrate that will lessen the risk of getting COVID-19.”

Some ideas for lower-risk Halloween activities include:

• Plan a movie night and connect with friends online while watching the movie “together.”
• Have a socially distanced costume parade down your street or in your neighborhood.
• Have a Halloween party for those living in your household.
• Coordinate an outdoor, socially distanced Halloween scavenger hunt.
  
  If you make the decision participate in trick-or-treating, consider the following:

• Put individually wrapped goody bags on a table in the front yard so children can grab and go.
• Use duct tape to mark spaces 6 feet apart leading to the table.
• Place a bottle of hand sanitizer on the table.
• Make sure to wash hands before and after handling treats.

Large in-person group gatherings are discouraged. Also, typical costume masks should not be substituted for cloth facemasks that are recommended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Consider making a Halloween-themed cloth mask part of the costume.

If you or anyone in your household has tested positive, has symptoms, is waiting for test results, may have been exposed within the past 14 days, or is at high risk for complications from COVID-19, do not take part in any in-person festivities.

Additional information can be found at cdc.gov.

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To raise awareness about the importance of HIV Testing and knowing your HIV status, the Coastal Health District will hold free drive-thru HIV testing events from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 15^th, in the parking lot of Diversity Health Center in Hinesville and on Saturday, August 22^nd in the parking lot of Brunswick High School in Brunswick. Testing is free and confidential and no appointment is necessary.

Testing is the first step in maintaining a healthy life and reducing the spread of HIV. 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.

Those getting tested will receive free giveaways, including gift cards. Staff will also be available to discuss HIV prevention options such as PrEP, the daily pill to prevent HIV.

Around 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and one in eight people do not know they have it.  This is an opportunity to raise awareness, encourage people to get the facts, tested, get involved, and get linked to care and treatment services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. People at higher risk should get tested more often.

As a reminder, HIV testing is free by appointment at all health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties and available Monday through Friday during regular health department hours of operation. Anyone with questions about testing can call Diane DeVore at (912) 644-5828 or e-mail Diane.Devore@dph.ga.gov.

Immunizations and health screenings are an important part of keeping our children healthy. Several vaccinations are required for school-aged children, and parents are urged not to delay those immunizations. Staying up to date on vaccinations is the best way to protect children from certain diseases.

Health departments currently require appointments for service. Scheduling patients in advance allows for social distancing in waiting rooms. Face coverings are also required for anyone over age 2.

It is important to note that health department services, including vaccinations, are offered on days when there is no COVID-19 testing taking place at health departments.

“We’re doing everything we can to provide a safe environment for our patients and staff,” said Coastal Health District Immunization Coordinator, Paige Lightsey, R.N. “If your child needs immunizations, we encourage you to call the health department or your pediatrician and schedule an appointment right away.”

Students entering school for the first time need vaccinations as well as Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition screenings. Also, children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are attending seventh grade, and new entrants into Georgia schools in grades 8 through 12, must have one dose of Tdap vaccine and one dose of meningococcal vaccine. The HPV vaccine is also recommended for both girls and boys ages 11–12 to protect against cancers and other diseases caused by human papillomavirus. Appointments can be scheduled by calling your local health department. Most insurance plans are accepted, and vaccine can be supplied at no cost for those without insurance. For more information on childhood immunization schedules, go to coastalhealthdistrict.org/immunizations.

Health Department clinics, Environmental Health offices, and Coastal Health District offices will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 2nd and remain closed Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day. Clinics and offices will resume normal operations on Monday, July 6th. There will be no COVID-19 testing events operated by the Coastal Health District July 3-5.