Georgia Coastal Health District

The two main facilities of the Chatham County Health Department will be closed to the public on Friday, March 4, 2022, as the telephone system is upgraded. Temporary telephone and internet outages are expected during this time. Clients with impacted appointments will be contacted to reschedule.

The following facilities and services will be unavailable March 4:

• Main Clinic, 1395 Eisenhower Drive – clinical services, dental services, vital records, environmental health offices
• Midtown Clinic, 1602 Drayton Street – clinical services

The following facilities and services will be available March 4:

• COVID-19 Vaccination Annex, 1249 Eisenhower Drive – adult and pediatric COVID vaccinations
• COVID-19 Testing, 301 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Savannah Civic Center
• COVID-19 Testing, 210 Technology Circle, Georgia Tech Savannah Campus in Pooler
• Chatham CARE Center, 107 B Fahm Street – HIV Services

All facilities will resume normal operational schedules on Monday, March 7, 2022.

The Chatham County Health Department will offer free mammograms from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, for women who meet eligibility guidelines. The event will take place at the health department located at 1395 Eisenhower Drive.

Women who meet annual income guidelines and are 40-64 years of age without insurance will be eligible to receive a screening mammogram at no cost as part of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP). BCCP provides access to breast and cervical cancer screening for women who may not otherwise have the means to access such services. The BCCP program partners with the St. Joseph’s/Candler mobile mammography program to offer free mammograms several times a year.

Breast cancer in the most common cancer in woman after skin cancer. It is estimated that about one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat.

Appointments are required and can be made by calling 356-2946.

For more information on the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, go to coastalhealthdistrict.org/bccp.

Updated January 21, 2022

The Chatham County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisories on Tybee Island. The adivsory for Middle Beach at Center Terrace (Lovell Street to 11th Street) was lifted on January 20, and the advisory for Strand Beach at the Pier (11th Street to 18th Street) was lifted on January 21.

The advisories were issued on January 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 the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories were lifted.

The Chatham County Health Department has issued beach water advisories for the following beach locations on Tybee Island:

• Middle Beach at Center Terrace – Lovell Street to 11th Street, and
• Strand Beach at the Pier – 11th Street to 18th Street.

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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.