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

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Beach Advisories Lifted for St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island Beaches

September 9th, 2020 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Update: September 11, 2020

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisories on St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.

Advisories have been lifted for:

  • East Beach at the Old Coast Guard Station (Tenth Street to Driftwood Drive) on St. Simons Island,
  • Massengale Park Beach (Driftwood Drive to Cedar Street) on St. Simons Island, and
  • North Beach at Dexter Lane (Tallu Fish Lane to Brice Lane) on Jekyll Island.

The advisories were issued on September 9, 2020 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.

September 9, 2020

The Glynn County Health Department has issued beach water advisories for 2 beaches on St. Simons Island and 1 beach on Jekyll Island. The affected areas are:

  • East Beach at the Old Coast Guard Station (Tenth Street to Driftwood Drive) on St. Simons Island,
  • Massengale Park Beach (Driftwood Drive to Cedar Street) on St. Simons Island, and
  • North Beach at Dexter Lane (Tallu Fish Lane to Brice Lane) on Jekyll Island.
graphic showing the beach water advisory signs

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.

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 page.

Bryan Co. Health Dept. Expands COVID-19 Testing Schedule in Richmond Hill

September 4th, 2020 by CHD Communications

Posted in Bryan News, COVID-19, News |

COVID-19 testing at the Bryan County Health Department’s Richmond Hill location will now be available each Tuesday and Thursday between 8-11 a.m. by appointment.

Previously, testing at the Richmond Hill location was only available on Tuesdays. Now residents will have two opportunities each week for free testing in Richmond Hill.

The drive-through site is located at Henderson Park, 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, behind the County Administration Building off Highway 144. The Bryan County Health Department will continue to offer drive-up testing at the Health Department’s Pembroke location at 430 Ledford Street each Friday between 8-11 a.m. by appointment.

Testing appointments can be made online or over the phone. Click here to schedule an appointment online. To schedule an appointment by phone, call 912-230-9744. The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon.

Anyone can be tested, and there is no fee. If you believe you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please remember to quarantine at home for 14 days, and schedule an appointment for testing around the 10th day. Testing cannot be scheduled more than 2 weeks in advance.

For a list of free COVID-19 testing options through the Coastal Health District, visit our COVID-19 testing page.

COVID-19 Testing, Health Dept. Operational Schedule for Labor Day, Sept. 7

September 3rd, 2020 by CHD Communications

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

Health Department clinics, Environmental Health offices, and Coastal Health District offices will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.

The COVID-19 testing sites in Brunswick and Savannah will be operational on Labor Day with reduced hours.

Drive-through COVID-19 Testing in Brunswick is by appointment only, and will be available Monday, September 7 from 8-10:30 a.m. To make an appointment for testing, call 1-912-230-9744 and choose option #3, or click here to schedule an appointment online.

Drive-through COVID-19 Testing in Savannah is available without an appointment at the Civic Center at 301 West Oglethorpe Ave. The site will be operational Saturday, September 5 from 8:30-11:30 a.m., and Monday, September 7 from 8-10:30 a.m.

The Coastal Health District’s COVID-19 Testing Call Center will be operational with normal hours, Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., closed Sundays, and open Monday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The call center number is 1-912-230-9744.

Click here for more information about COVID-19 testing in the Coastal Health District.

Beach Advisory Lifted for St. Simons Island

September 3rd, 2020 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Update: September 3, 2020

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for the Fifth Street Crossover Beach on St. Simons Island.

The advisory was issued on August 18, 2020 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 advisory has been lifted.

September 1, 2020

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a beach water advisory for the Fifth Street Crossover Beach, which is from Cedar Street to Ninth Street on St. Simons Island.

graphic showing the beach water advisory signs

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 about beach water testing, visit our Beach Water Testing Program page.

Chatham Co. Health Dept. Resumes Operations at Midtown Clinic

September 2nd, 2020 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, News |

Health department services are available once again at the Midtown Clinic of the Chatham County Health Department. The clinic is located at 1602 Drayton Street in Savannah.

On May 1, 2020, the Health Department consolidated services from two locations into one site, and all appointments were shifted to the clinic on Eisenhower Drive. The change was needed to free up staffing resources for the COVID-19 testing site.

Since that time, additional employees have been hired, and now general clinical services and immunizations are available at both Chatham County Health Department locations again.

All health department services require appointments, and anyone over the age of two must wear a face mask. To make an appointment for services at the Midtown Clinic at 1602 Drayton Street, call 912-651-3378. For appointments at the Eisenhower Clinic at 1395 Eisenhower Drive, call 912-356-2441.

For more information on services, go to coastalhealthdistrict.org/chatham.

Chatham Co. Health Dept. Expands Pediatric Primary Care Services

September 1st, 2020 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, News |

Parents in Chatham County now have an additional resource for managing common childhood health problems. The Chatham County Health Department has expanded its pediatric health program to include certain primary care services like treatment of eye and ear infections, upper respiratory infections, seasonal allergies and more.

Nurse practicioner examines child during wellness visit

Services will be offered at the Eisenhower clinic of the Chatham County Health Department by Sierra Peebles, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner.

Appointments can be made for head-to-toe wellness exams, sports physicals, and treatment of common childhood concerns, like:

  • Seasonal allergies and sinus infections
  • Ear and eye infections
  • Upper respiratory infections and sore throat
  • Dermatitis and Eczema

Peebles can also make referrals for other health department services, like immunizations, pediatric dental care, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program, and the Babies Can’t Wait developmental program.

“I am excited to begin offering pediatric primary care services in our community,” said Peebles. “Health monitoring, illness prevention, and education are so important for a healthy childhood and adolescence, and every family deserves access to this type of care.”

All services are by appointment only. To make an appointment for a child health visit, call the Chatham County Health Department at 912-356-2441.

Chlorine Dioxide Should NOT be used to Treat COVID-19

August 22nd, 2020 by District_PIO

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

The Department of Public Health has received reports that people are using diluted chlorine dioxide to “treat” COVID-19.  Chlorine dioxide is a bleach-like cleaning agent and, if ingested, can have severe, adverse health effects, including death.

Chlorine dioxide products have not been shown to be safe and effective for any use, including treatment of COVID-19.

Products are being marketed online under various names: MSS, Miracle Mineral Solution, Master Mineral Solution, Water Purification Solution, CDS, Aqueous Chlorine Dioxide, and others.

Ingesting chlorine dioxide products are not meant to be swallowed by people, and can lead to:

  • Respiratory failure
  • Potentially fatal abnormal heart rhythms
  • Life-threatening low blood pressure caused by dehydration
  • Acute liver failure
  • Low blood cell counts
  • Severe vomiting
  • Severe diarrhea

The Georgia Poison Center advises that chlorine dioxide not be swallowed, and not be used outside of industrial settings where appropriate precautions against injury from this chemical can be used.

For more information or if you or someone you know has ingested chlorine dioxide, call the Georgia Poison Center Hotline: 1-800-222-1222

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Warning:

The FDA reminds consumers to be cautious of websites and stores selling products that claim to prevent, mitigate, treat, diagnose or cure COVID-19. Fraudulent COVID-19 products may come in many varieties, including dietary supplements and other foods, as well as products purporting to be drugs, medical devices or vaccines. Products that claim to cure, mitigate, treat, diagnose or prevent disease, but are not proven safe and effective for those purposes, defraud consumers of money and can place consumers at risk for serious harm. Using these products may lead to delays in getting proper diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and other potentially serious diseases and conditions.

St. Simons Island Beach Advisory Lifted

August 19th, 2020 by CHD Communications

Posted in Glynn News, News |

Update: August 19, 2020

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for the Fifth Street Crossover Beach on St. Simons Island.

The advisory was issued on August 18, 2020 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 advisory has been lifted.

August 18, 2020

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a beach water advisory for the Fifth Street Crossover Beach, which is from Cedar Street to Ninth Street on St. Simons Island.

graphic showing the beach water advisory signs

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 about beach water testing, visit our Beach Water Testing Program page.

DPH Provides Update on COVID-19 Trends in Georgia

August 14th, 2020 by CHD Communications

Posted in COVID-19, News |

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is providing the following information regarding the fight against COVID-19 in Georgia:

Positive Indicators

COVID-19 Cases

  • During 8/3-8/9, Georgia’s weekly statewide case numbers decreased by 7%.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that Georgia has experienced a 22% decrease in case numbers over the past two weeks relative to the two weeks prior to that, and that we have seen a downward trajectory of cases for two weeks now.
  • The highest % of case numbers still come from the high population counties in metro Atlanta (Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb have the highest case numbers) but these counties are actually experiencing decreases now.

Testing

  • As of Aug. 13, the state reported over 1.9 million COVID-19 tests.
  • Eight of the last nine days reporting more than 25,000 tests per day.
  • Average of nearly 31,000 per day over the last nine days.
  • DPH is operating 180 SPOCs, including mobile and pop-up locations statewide.
  • The number of specimens collected at DPH SPOCs has now passed 750,000.

Positivity Rate

Positivity rates are decreasing from 11.86% on 7/27 to 10.98% on 8/3 to 9.5% on 8/9/20.

Hospitalizations

Daily hospitalizations have decreased 6.62% in the past seven days.

  • 8/06: 3,006
  • 8/07: 2,981
  • 8/08: 2,878
  • 8/09: 2,878
  • 8/10: 2,871
  • 8/11: 2,881
  • 8/12: 2,865
  • 8/13: 2,807

Emergency Department Visits

  • Emergency Department (ED) visits related to COVID-19 are slightly decreasing and influenza- like illness (ILI) visits are slightly decreasing.

Areas of Concern

Emerging Hotspots

  • We are seeing decreases in many other areas, but we see growth and/or high transmission in rural middle GA (Bleckley, Appling, Wayne, Taylor, Crawford, etc.), NW GA (driven partially by many outbreaks in manufacturing facilities), east central GA and areas of south Georgia. These increases are driven by ongoing community transmission as well as outbreaks.

Increasing Outbreaks

  • Aug. 6-12: 110 outbreaks

These outbreaks are occurring in settings where people are physically congregating and underscore the need for distancing and source control.

  • Long-term care facilities 23
  • Schools/school athletic teams 14
  • Offices/workplaces 14
  • Manufacturing facilities 13
  • Prisons/jails 13
  • Churches 8
  • Restaurants 4

Outbreaks were also documented in hospitals/outpatient facilities, daycares and grocery stores.

For more state-level data, visit the DPH website: https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report

For more Coastal Health District data, visit our COVID-19 data page: https://covid19.gachd.org/covid-19-data-and-charts/

West Nile Virus Detected in Chatham Co. Mosquito Population

August 11th, 2020 by CHD Communications

Posted in Chatham News, News |

Chatham County Mosquito Control has confirmed that a mosquito sample collected from an area in south Savannah has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). Mosquito control personnel routinely collect and sample mosquitoes in all areas of Chatham County. This is the first positive WNV test in the Chatham County mosquito population this year. Chatham County Mosquito Control will treat the area with insecticide Wednesday evening.

No human cases of WNV have been confirmed this year in Georgia. 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.

“This report of West Nile Virus in our mosquito population is unwelcome but not unexpected, as we typically see mosquito activity increase in the summer,” said Dr. Lawton Davis, Health Director of the Coastal Health District. “There is no vaccine or cure for West Nile Virus, so the best protection is to avoid mosquito bites.”

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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