The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh
On Friday, June 11th and Tuesday, June 22nd, the public health COVID-19 testing site at the Savannah Civic Center will be closed due to other events scheduled to take place at that location.
For more information on additional locations that offer COVID-19 testing, please go to our website, covid19.gachd.org.
GLYNN COUNTY, GA –The Coastal Health District is alerting swimmers and recreational fishers to the presence of oil on the beaches and water around Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island. As the cutting operations continue on the capsized motor vehicle carrier Golden Ray, occasional discharges of oil are occurring. Some of the oil is reaching the coastline in the form of small, sticky globules and may be encountered by individuals who are swimming or fishing.
Responders with the St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command are working to contain any pollutants and remove any oily substances that reach the shore. The public is advised to remain alert for oil in the water or the sand. If you step on a tar ball or get oil on your skin, wash off the oil with soap and clean water. There is no need to use harsh detergents, solvents or other chemicals to wash oil from skin or clothing – these could be harmful to you.
If you see a sheen of oil on the surface of the water, get out of the water and report the sheen to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. Do not swim or fish in an area with a visible oil sheen.
For additional information on the incident response, monitor the response website at www.ssiresponse.com.
The Coastal Health District is now scheduling appointments for special Pfizer vaccine clinics at 7 county health department locations. Pfizer is the only COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized for individuals as young as 12 years of age.
“Several of our clinics typically offer Moderna vaccine for anyone 18 and older, but we want to be sure our younger residents have the opportunity for vaccination, too,” said Paige Lightsey, Immunization Coordinator for the Coastal Health District. “That’s why we’re offering special Pfizer clinics, so everyone 12 and older will have access to the vaccine.”
The Pfizer clinics will be offered in Bryan, Camden, Effingham, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties. Glynn and Chatham Counties already offer Pfizer during normal clinic hours.
These special Pfizer clinics are not limited to teens; adults who would like to receive Pfizer can also schedule appointments. There is no cost for the vaccine. Appointments are preferred and can be scheduled online at chdcovidvax.org or by calling 912-230-5506. Walk-ins are welcome, but subject to vaccine availability at the time of the clinic.
“Now is a great time to get your child vaccinated,” said Lightsey. “By starting the two-dose vaccine series now, your child will be fully vaccinated and protected when school begins in the fall.”
Pfizer vaccine requires two doses. You’ll be scheduled for your second dose of vaccine three weeks after receiving your first dose at the clinic.
Bryan County Health Department – Pembroke
Bryan County Health Department – Richmond Hill
Camden County Health Department – St. Marys
Effingham County Health Department
Liberty County Health Department
Long County Health Department
McIntosh County Health Department
The Pembroke clinic of the Bryan County Health Department will be closed beginning Thursday, May 20th at 3:30 p.m. through Monday, May 24th at 9 a.m. During that time, electricity will not be available as repairs are made to the building.
Although clinical operations can resume on Monday, May 24th, COVID-19 vaccinations will not resume until Thursday, May 27th. Because of the unique storage requirements of the vaccine, the refrigerators and freezers must be at optimal temperatures for three days before they can store the COVID-19 vaccines.
Anyone in need of public health services during the closure may visit the Richmond Hill clinic of the Bryan County Health Department at 66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive. The Richmond Hill clinic provides COVID-19 vaccinations as a walk-in service on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.
The St. Marys clinic of the Camden County Health Department is offering several walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics with the single-dose Janssen vaccine by Johnson & Johnson. No appointment is needed, and there is no cost for vaccination.
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine – Walk-in Clinic
Camden County Health Department
905 Dilworth Street, St. Marys
The Janssen vaccine is authorized for adults age 18 and older.
The Coastal Health District Chronic Disease Prevention Program will hold two kickoff meetings for residents interested in participating in a type 2 diabetes prevention program. The virtual meetings will be held on Wednesday, May 19th, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and on Tuesday, May 25th, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested in taking part should call Cristina Gibson at 912-644-5818 or email cristina.gibson@dph.ga.gov.
PreventT2 is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants will learn the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.
People with prediabetes — higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels — are 5 to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. In fact, many people with prediabetes can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
“One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,” said Coastal Health District Chronic Disease Prevention Director, Cristina Gibson. “The PreventT2 program offers a proven approach to preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes made with the support of a coach and one’s peers.”
PreventT2 groups meet for a year — weekly for the first 6 months, then once or twice a month for the second 6 months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes. Together participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.
If you live in Chatham County, free COVID-19 vaccine is coming to a location near you.
The Chatham County Health Department is partnering with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) to offer pop-up vaccination clinics throughout the county. The first two mobile clinics will be held this weekend. Friday, May 14th from 10am-4 pm, vaccine will be available at Peña Barbershop at 11709 Largo Drive. Saturday, May 15th from 1-4 pm, vaccine will be available at MedBank at 836 East 65th Street in Savannah. More sites and dates are being scheduled and will be posted online at chdcovidvax.org and savannahvax.coreresponse.org .
Pre-registration is preferred but not required, and walk-ups are welcome. The site will offer Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 and up, and Johnson & Johnson vaccine for ages 18 and up. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the clinic. There is no cost for vaccination.
“Vaccination is the key to ending this pandemic, but we recognize there are barriers to vaccination like lack of transportation or difficulty with online scheduling,” said Dr. Chris Rustin, Administrator of the Chatham County Health Department. “We’re excited to partner with CORE and bring vaccine directly to our residents, erasing many of these obstacles.”
CORE and the Health Department are working with businesses and organizations around the county to identify additional locations for mobile clinics, with a special focus on hard-to-reach populations. “We look forward to meeting individuals where they are, in their communities, to make their COVID-19 vaccination experience convenient, accessible and pleasant,” said Ashila Jiwani, CORE GA Operations Manager.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccine, visit covid19.gachd.org. For more information about CORE, visit coreresponse.org.
Updated May 13, 2021
The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the advisory for Captain Wylly Road Crossover Beach, which is from Brice Lane to the beach pavilion on Jekyll Island.
The advisory was issued on May 11, 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.
May 11, 2021
The Glynn County Health Department has issued a beach water advisory for Captain Wylly Road Crossover Beach, which is from Brice Lane to the beach pavilion 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. 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. This does NOT mean the beach is closed.
The beach water advisory alerts the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory area. 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 the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards. For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing page.
The Brunswick (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, announced today that $4,500 in grant funding will be used to provide transportation for residents in Camden, Glynn, and McIntosh counties to get to COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
President of the Brunswick, GA, chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Jackie Bryant, presented a check to the Coastal Regional Commission, which includes Coastal Regional Coaches, a branch of the Commission that provides transit service.
“The Brunswick (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is excited for the Coastal Regional Commission community partnership,” said Bryant. It is our vision that providing transportation at no cost to the citizens of Camden, Glynn, and McIntosh counties will assist in reducing yet another barrier in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Beginning Monday, May 17th, residents in Camden, Glynn, or McIntosh counties who have made an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine but do not have access to transportation can call (toll-free) 1-866-543-6744 to request a free ride to and from the appointment.
Funds for this initiative were provided by the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated, Mask to Protect, Unmask to Inform Response to the Pandemic Grant.
The Brunswick (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, is one of 292 chapters of The Links, Incorporated, in 41 states. Made up of professional women of African descent, The Links, Incorporated, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations.
For more information to arrange transportation call (toll-free) 1-866-543-6744.
Updated May 6, 2021
The Chatham County Health Department has lifted the advisory for Polk St. Beach, which extends from the north end of beach to the north jetty on Tybee Island.
The advisory was issued on May 4, 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.
May 4, 2021
The Chatham County Health Department has issued a beach water advisory for Polk St. Beach, which extends from the north end of island to the north jetty on Tybee Island.
When an advisory is issued, it is only for the area specified 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.
[JPG, 104.89 KB]
[JPG, 2.57 MB]
