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

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Chatham Co. Health Dept. Expands Pediatric Primary Care Services

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

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

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

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

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.

Beach Advisories Lifted for St. Simons Island Beaches

Update: August 7, 2020

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisories for St. Simons Island beaches.

The advisories were issued on August 5, 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 advisories have been lifted.


August 5, 2020

The Glynn County Health Department has issued beach water advisories for all 5 public beach areas on St. Simons Island.

graphic showing the beach water advisory signs

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples on St. Simons and Jekyll Islands 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 affected areas include:

  • North Beach at Goulds Inlet (Fifteenth Street to Tenth Street)
  • East Beach at the Old Coast Guard Station (Tenth Street to Driftwood Drive)
  • Massengale Park Beach (Driftwood Drive to Cedar Street)
  • 5th Street Crossover Beach (Cedar Street to Ninth Street)
  • South Beach at the Lighthouse (Ninth Street to the Pier)

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

Drive-Through HIV Testing Events Scheduled

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 15th, in the parking lot of Diversity Health Center in Hinesville and on Saturday, August 22nd 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.

Health Departments to Provide No Cost Vision, Hearing, Dental, & Nutrition Screening for School Students

Although the start of school may look a little different this year, students entering a Georgia school for the first time – no matter what the grade level – must have a completed Certificate of Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition screening form. “First time” means never enrolled in a Georgia school before at any time in their lives.

Health departments in the Coastal Health District will offer no cost vision, hearing, dental, and nutrition screening – by appointment only – for school students. Normally a $30 fee applies when getting the screening at the health department.

Immunization services will also be available at regular cost. Most insurance is accepted and there are low-cost options for people without insurance. 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 received one dose of Tdap vaccine and one dose of meningococcal vaccine. (“New entrant” means any child entering any school in Georgia for the first time or entering after having been absent from a Georgia school for more than 12 months or one school year).

The HPV vaccine is also recommended for both girls and boys starting at ages 11–12 to protect against cancers and other diseases caused by human papillomavirus.

Call your local health department to schedule an appointment.

No Cost Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition Clinic Schedules

Bryan County
August 17th (Pembroke) and August 19th (Richmond Hill)
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 912-653-4331 (Pembroke) or 912-756-2611 (Richmond Hill).

Chatham County
August 10th – 14th
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 912-356-2441.

Effingham County
Tuesday, August 18th, and Thursday, August 20th
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 912-754-6484.

Glynn County
August 10th – 14th
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 912-264-3961 and choosing option 9.

Liberty County
Monday, August 17th, and Tuesday, August 18th
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 912-876-2173.

Long County
Monday, August 10th, and Wednesday, August 12th
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 912-545-2107.

McIntosh County
Thursday, August 13th, and Monday, August 17th
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 912-832-5473.

Coastal Health District to Suspend Operations Monday, August 3rd

The Coastal Health District will suspend operations on Monday, August 3rd due to the potential for wind and rain associated with Tropical Storm Isaias.

All district offices, county health departments, and COVID-19 specimen collection sites will be closed. Anyone with an appointment scheduled for Monday will be notified of the closure and will have the opportunity to reschedule. The COVID-19 Testing Call Center will also be closed on Monday.

All sites and the call center are expected to reopen with normal hours on Tuesday, August 4th.

Online Self-Scheduling Now Available for COVID-19 Testing in Bryan County

You can now go online to schedule an appointment for COVID-19 testing by the Bryan County Health Department. Simply access an online self-service portal, take a brief screening questionnaire, and book your appointment for testing. The self-service portal can be accessed through a link at coastalhealthdistrict.org/covidtest.

Individuals still have the option to call if they prefer to make an appointment over the phone. To schedule an appointment by telephone or to get testing information for any Coastal Health District county, call our COVID-19 Testing Call Center at 1-912-230-9744.

Testing is offered three times each week in Bryan County. In Richmond Hill, testing is available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings by appointment at Henderson Park, 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, behind the County Administration Building off Highway 144. On Friday mornings, testing is available by appointment at the Health Department’s Pembroke location at 430 Ledford Street.

Please do not show up more than 10 minutes before your appointment time. Arriving early can create long lines at the drive-through testing site, and the process will go more smoothly if individuals arrive at their designated appointment time. If you cannot keep your appointment, please go online or call to cancel so the appointment time will be available to someone else.

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 more information about COVID-19 in our area, visit covid19.gachd.org.