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

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Glynn News

Beach Advisories Lifted in Glynn County

November 2nd, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Update: November 3, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisories South Beach at the Lighthouse on St. Simons Island, and Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island.

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

November 2, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has issued two beach water advisories. The affected areas are:

graphic showing the beach water advisory signs [JPG, 2.57 MB]
  • South Beach at the Lighthouse – 9th Street to the Pier on St. Simons Island, and
  • Driftwood Beach – Beach KM Marker 1 to Tallu Fish Lane on Jekyll Island.

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples on Glynn County beaches throughout the year. The tests screen 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. This does NOT mean the beach is closed. These 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 Program page.

Coastal Health District Gears Up to Offer Moderna & Janssen Booster Doses

October 22nd, 2021 by District_PIO

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

Health Departments in the Coastal Health District will begin offering booster shots of Moderna and Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday, October 26th. The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have now recommended booster doses for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.

The eligibility rules for Pfizer and Moderna recipients are the same. If you were initially vaccinated with Moderna or Pfizer, you are eligible for a booster dose six months after your last dose if you meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Aged 65 and older,
  • Resident in a long-term care setting,
  • Aged 18 and older with certain underlying medical conditions, and/or
  • Aged 18 and older with an increased risk for COVID-19 exposure because of where you work or live.

If you were initially vaccinated with the single dose Janssen vaccine by Johnson & Johnson, you are eligible for a booster dose two months after your initial vaccination. No other criteria apply. 

Mixing of vaccine brands is allowed; you are permitted to get a booster dose of Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson, regardless of which vaccine you received initially.

Not every health department has every brand of COVID-19 vaccine, so we encourage residents to check our scheduling website, chdcovidvax.org, to see which vaccines are available at each location.

If you need assistance with scheduling, you may call our COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 912-230-5506. The call center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Beach Water Advisories Lifted

October 13th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Updated on October 14, 2021:

The previous advisories for Captain Wylly Road Crossover Beach and Middle Beach at the Convention Center on Jekyll Island have been lifted. The advisories were issued October 13th 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.

October 13, 2021:

The Glynn County Health Department has issued beach water advisories for the following beaches on Jekyll Island.

  • Captain Wylly Road Crossover Beach: from Brice Lane to the Beach Pavilion
  • Middle Beach at the Convention Center: from the Beach Pavilion to Corsair Beach Park
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 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 Advisory Lifted for Jekyll Island

October 5th, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Update on October 6, 2021:

The previous advisory for Captain Wylly Road Crossover Beach on Jekyll Island has been lifted. The advisory was issued October 5th 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.

October 5, 2021:

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for Capt. Wylly Road Crossover Beach, which is from Brice Lane to the beach pavilion 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 this week, 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.

Pfizer Booster Shots Available in the Coastal Health District

September 25th, 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 |

Beginning Monday, Sept. 27, the Coastal Health District will offer Pfizer booster shots as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Georgia Department of Public Health. Booster doses have been approved for the following individuals who received Pfizer vaccine more than six months ago:

  • Individuals aged 65 and older,
  • Residents in long-term care settings,
  • Individuals aged 18 and older with certain underlying medical conditions, and
  • Individuals aged 18 and older who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure because of where they work or live.

Booster shots have not yet been approved for anyone who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccines. Please note: not every health department has Pfizer vaccine available. The following locations do offer Pfizer vaccine by appointment, and can give booster doses to eligible individuals. Dates and hours vary at each location.

  • Chatham Co. Health Dept. Annex (former EmployAbility building) – 1249 Eisenhower Dr.
  • West Chatham Site @ Gulfstream – 171 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah
  • Savannah Fire Station #3 – 121 East Oglethorpe Ave., Savannah
  • Glynn Co. Health Department – 2747 Fourth St., Brunswick
  • Effingham Co. Health Department – 802 Hwy. 119 South, Springfield
  • Liberty Co. Health Dept. – 1113 East Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville

Please visit chdcovidvax.org for more details and to schedule an appointment. For assistance, you may also call our COVID-19 Vaccination Phone Bank at 912-230-5506 Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Coastal Health District continues to stress the importance of vaccination for all Georgians aged 12 and older. Vaccination is our best tool to protect lives and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our state.

Breast Cancer Screenings Offered in October

September 25th, 2021 by District_PIO

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

Health departments throughout the Coastal Health District will hold breast cancer screening events throughout the month of October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is 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.

“Early detection is critical,” said Coastal Health District Women’s Health and Adult Health Coordinator, Mary Ellen Smith, MSN, WHNP BC. “The earlier breast cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat.”

Women who meet certain annual income guidelines and are 40-64 years of age without insurance will be eligible to receive mammograms or breast exams and mammogram referrals 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.

In counties where mammograms are being offered, women who have an order from their healthcare provider or have insurance can still get a mammogram, but it will not be covered through the BCCP program.

Door prizes will be given to everyone receiving screening services at all county breast cancer awareness events, while supplies last.

For more information on BCCP, please visit our website at coastalhealthdistrict.org/bccp.

Coastal Health District Breast Cancer Awareness Events

Bryan County
Date: Tuesday, October 19
Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Bryan County Health Department, 430 Ledford Street, Pembroke
Service offered: Clinical breast exams and mammogram referrals
Call 912-653-4331 to schedule an appointment.

Camden County
Date: Thursday, October 28
Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Camden County Health Department, 905 Dilworth Street, St. Marys
Service offered: Clinical breast exams and mammogram referrals
Call 912-912-882-8515 or 912-576-3040 to schedule an appointment.

Effingham County
Date: Wednesday, October 6
Time: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Effingham County Health Department, 802 GA Hwy. 119 South, Springfield
Service offered: Clinical breast exams and mammogram referrals
Call 912-754-6484 to schedule an appointment.

Glynn County
Date: Tuesday, October 5
Time: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Glynn County Health Department, 2747 Fourth Street, Brunswick
Service offered: Mammograms
Call 912-264-3961 to schedule an appointment.

Liberty County
Date: Wednesday, October 13
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Liberty County Health Department, 1113 E. Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville
Service offered: Mammograms
Appointments encouraged; walk-ins accepted. Call 912-876-2171 to schedule an appointment.

Long County
Date: Tuesday, October 19
Time: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Long County Health Department, 57 North Macon Street, Ludowici
Service offered: Mammograms
Call 912-545-2107 to schedule an appointment.

McIntosh County
Date: Monday, October 25
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: The Coastal Market, 5214 US 17, Darien
Service offered: Mammograms
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
*God’s Ocean food truck will be on site and offer a 20% discount to those receiving mammograms that day.

Beach Advisory Lifted on St. Simons Island South Beach

September 21st, 2021 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Updated September 23, 2021

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

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

September 21, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a beach water 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 this week, 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.

New Distribution Process for Monoclonal Antibody Treatment

September 15th, 2021 by District_PIO

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

ATLANTA – The federal government has changed the way COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments will be distributed in the United States, including Georgia. The decision announced Monday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the result of supply shortages and extraordinary demand for the treatments across the country, particularly due to the rapid spread of the delta variant. Health care providers will no longer be able to order the treatments directly.

HHS will determine each state’s weekly allocation of monoclonal antibody products based on use and the number of new COVID cases. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) will identify which sites in the state will receive the product and the amount each site receives. Healthcare providers must record their administration of the products in order to be eligible to receive additional shipments.

DPH will work to provide monoclonal antibody treatments quickly and equitably to as many Georgia providers as possible. The Department will also address the backlog of requests previously made to HHS, which DPH was not made aware of until yesterday.

Monoclonal antibodies are synthetic, laboratory-created antibodies. They help people at high risk for severe COVID illness, individuals who have recently tested positive (within 10 days) for the virus, or people who are close contacts of persons who have tested positive for COVID.  They do not teach a patient’s body how to create its own antibodies.

Monoclonal antibody treatments are not a replacement for COVID-19 vaccination.

“We have safe and highly effective vaccines to protect against COVID-19. It is much easier to get a vaccine than risk becoming seriously ill with life threatening complications,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Monoclonal antibodies are in short supply and high demand and hospital beds are full. What Georgia does have is enough vaccine for all Georgians aged 12 and over to be vaccinated.”

As of today, 53% of Georgians have received at least one dose of COVID vaccine and 46% of Georgians are fully vaccinated. COVID vaccine is available statewide and is our best tool for ending this pandemic and reducing the overwhelming strain on EMS, the healthcare system and healthcare providers. To find a COVID vaccination location, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.

There are currently 136 locations in Georgia where monoclonal antibody treatments are being administered. https://protect-public.hhs.gov/pages/therapeutics-distribution. Patients should talk to their healthcare provider about monoclonal antibody treatments and must have a prescription or physician’s referral to receive the treatments.

Georgia Surpasses Grim COVID-19 Milestone: More Than 20,000 Lives Lost to COVID-19

September 3rd, 2021 by District_PIO

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

ATLANTA – The number of Georgians who have died from COVID-19 now surpasses 20,000. As of 3 p.m. today, there have been 20,041 confirmed COVID deaths in Georgia since the pandemic began.

“It is tragic but not surprising that we have surpassed this grim milestone of 20,000 COVID deaths in our state,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., Georgia Department of Public Health commissioner. “Ninety seven percent of COVID deaths since we’ve had vaccine are in unvaccinated individuals. These deaths are preventable.”

COVID vaccines are safe and effective at protecting against COVID-19 infections. COVID vaccines also help prevent severe illness and death if an individual does get sick. The vaccines also reduce the risk of people spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.

COVID cases are surging in Georgia, driven by the delta variant. The delta variant is more transmissible than the original SARS-CoV-2 and research shows that it results in a higher rate of severe illness and hospitalization than other variants. COVID-19 is spreading fastest in areas with low vaccination rates. Currently, only 44% of Georgians are fully vaccinated.

All Georgians aged 12 and older are urged to get vaccinated, wear a mask in public settings and wash their hands frequently.

COVID vaccine is available statewide and is our best tool for ending this pandemic and reducing the overwhelming strain on EMS, the healthcare system and healthcare providers. To find a COVID vaccination location, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.

COVID testing is recommended immediately for anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Additionally, individuals who have had a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be tested, even if they are fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated should get tested 3-5 days after exposure. Unvaccinated individuals should quarantine and be tested immediately after being identified, and, if negative, tested again in 5–7 days after last exposure. To find testing locations, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/covidtesting. Please do not go to hospital emergency rooms for COVID testing.

West Nile Virus Detected in Chatham/Glynn Co. Mosquito Samples

August 30th, 2021 by District_PIO

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

Samples from two mosquito pools from Wilmington Island in Chatham County and one mosquito pool from downtown Brunswick in Glynn County have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).

Once WNV is detected in mosquitoes it is an indication that the virus is actively circulating in local mosquito populations, regardless of the specific location of positive mosquito pools.

These are the first positive WNV mosquito samples in the Coastal Health District in 2021. Mosquito prevention measures in those areas continue.

There has been one confirmed human case of WNV this year in Georgia and none in the eight Coastal Health District counties. WNV is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 20% of people who are infected will have mild symptoms like a fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. However, a West Nile Virus infection can be serious, and 1 out of 150 infected people develop a severe, sometimes fatal, illness.

Residents are encouraged to take precautions to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito bites. That includes cleaning up around homes, yards, and communities and getting rid of unnecessary items outdoors that can hold water, and wearing mosquito repellant that contains at least 20-30% DEET.

Residents are always encouraged to follow the “5 Ds” of mosquito bite prevention:

  • Dusk/Dawn – Avoid dusk and dawn activities during the summer when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Dress – Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
  • DEET – Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing the DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites.
  • Drain – Empty any outdoor containers holding standing water because they are breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.
  • Doors – Make sure doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly, and fix torn or damaged screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house.
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