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With Hurricane Ian moving up the coast and a forecast of heavy rain and wind this weekend, now is the time to make sure you’re up-to-date on emergency supplies and plans! Being prepared is important for keeping you and your loved ones safe. Check out the County of Albemarle’s Public Safety News Bulletin here for a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for and stay safe this weekend. We encourage community members to sign up for CodeRED to receive timely emergency notifications.
Residents or facilities that provide water to the public including campgrounds, restaurants, or daycares with private wells or septic systems that may become submerged by flood waters should also take extra precautions. For more information and safety tips regarding private wells and septic systems visit this Virginia Department of Health website.
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On Monday, September 26, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) published a press release announcing further expansion of monkeypox vaccination eligibility criteria. “VDH is taking this step to expand eligibility for the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine to ensure as many people at high risk of contracting this disease who want to get vaccinated can do so if they choose,” said State Health Commissioner Colin M. Greene, MD, MPH. “Maximizing effectiveness of prevention and treatment against monkeypox now is our best chance to keep it from becoming entrenched in the United States”. | |
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The populations eligible to receive a monkeypox vaccination have now expanded to include any individual who meets one or more of the following criteria:
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Any person, of any sexual orientation or gender, who have had anonymous or multiple (more than one) sexual partners in the past two weeks; OR
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Sex workers of any sexual orientation or gender; OR
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Staff, of any sexual orientation or gender, at establishments or events where sexual activity occurs; OR
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Any person, of any sexual orientation or gender, who is living with HIV/AIDS; OR
- Any person, of any sexual orientation or gender, diagnosed with any sexually transmitted infection in the past three months.
Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) has received a limited supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine. Schedule an appointment in our VASE+ system by selecting the “Monkeypox” tab and searching by zip code 22903. If you need assistance scheduling an appointment, call the VDH Hotline at 877-829-4682. To learn more about the monkeypox virus, visit the VDH Monkeypox website.
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Bivalent Booster Clinics
Our team is hitting the ground running this October with several COVID-19 bivalent booster clinics open to the community:
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Wednesdays in October on the Downtown Mall in front of Whiskey Jar from 12-3pm***
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Saturday, October 1 at the Rockfish Valley Community Center from 9am-12pm***
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Wednesday, October 5 at the Fluvanna County High School JV Football Game from 5:30-7:30pm
Individuals are eligible for a bivalent booster at least two months after the completion of the primary series or last booster dose. To see a full list of upcoming clinics and information on how to make an appointment, visit the BRHD COVID-19 vaccine page here. If you have questions or need help signing up for an appointment, call our COVID-19 Hotline at 434-972-6261 (open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm).
***Events may be weather dependent. Keep up to date of clinic cancellations via the BRHD website***
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October COVID-19 Testing Schedule
Halloween is right around the corner- this October, avoid the tricks and treat yourself to free drive-thru COVID-19 PCR testing at the following locations all month long!
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Mondays at the Church of Incarnation from 6-7:30pm (hosted by UVA Health)
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Tuesdays at Mount Zion First African Baptist Church from 5:30-7pm (hosted by UVA Health)
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Wednesdays at the former JCPenney Parking Lot at Fashion Square Mall from 3:30-6:30pm (hosted by Next Molecular Labs)
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Fridays at the former JCPenney Parking Lot at Fashion Square Mall from 3:30-6:30pm (hosted by Next Molecular Labs)
All clinics are by walk-in only, no appointments. Everyone ages 6 months and older are welcome. Clinics are weather dependent since they are outdoors. For more information and any weather cancellations, visit the BRHD COVID-19 testing webpage here.
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Quit Smoking Blue Ridge Program | |
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Back by popular demand, the Quit Nicotine/Smoking Blue Ridge program returned last week on Wednesday, September 21. But don’t worry, there’s still room for you! Classes will take place on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30pm through October 26, 2022, at no cost. The series will be conducted virtually on Zoom and is open to all Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson County residents. Each class member will learn about and experience strategies for quitting, including:
- Medication options
- Nicotine replacement options
- Acupuncture
- Hypnosis
- Stress reduction
- Nutrition
- And more!
Please contact Scott Mein at scottrmein@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link to participate. If you have further questions, please contact Scott Mein at 862-432-0490 or scottrmein@gmail.com.
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SPARC of Hope 5k Walk &Run | | |
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Join the Suicide Prevention Awareness Council (SPARC) for a morning of hope and fun at the 9th annual SPARC of Hope 5K Run & Walk on October 8 to support suicide prevention efforts in our community! This is a positive and safe opportunity to share stories of hope and recovery, honor loved ones who have passed, and fight the stigma associated with mental health and suicide. The event will take place starting at 8AM on October 8, 2022 at the East End Farm (1091 Hamilton Rd, Louisa, VA 23093) and is open to everyone! All participants ages 5 years and up are required to register for the walk. Scan the QR code on the flyer or click here to sign up. For more information about the event, check out SPARC’s Reminders and Directions webpage. | |
American Red Cross Blood Drive at Yancey Community Center | |
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Did you know that approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the United States? That means nearly every two seconds, someone is in need of blood. Earlier this year in January during the Omicron surge, the American Red Cross published a press release officially declaring a national blood crisis. This shortage is the first in over a decade, and represents a significant risk to patients in need of blood for critical, lifesaving care.
Last Saturday, BRHD’s Lead Community Health Worker Willie Mae Gray organized an American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Yancey Community Center in Albemarle County. It was a huge success, with over 30 donations received from BRHD staff and community members alike. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up and out on our mission to save lives - we couldn’t have done it without you!
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Pictured are BRHD Community Health Workers (left to right): Willie Mae, Linda, and Ana. | | | | | |
