A Refresher on Staying Healthy

With kids heading back to the classroom, cases of COVID-19 on the rise, and flu season just around the corner, many of us are thinking about what we can do to stay healthy.  Basic health and hygiene practices will be extremely important in preventing the spread of illness. Vaccines are also key in preventing severe sickness from preventable diseases. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for updates on COVID-19 and flu vaccines. In the meantime, it’s a great time to brush up on the CDC’s exposure and isolation guidelines for COVID-19: 

COVID-19 Exposure Guidelines- If You are Exposed to a Confirmed Case of COVID-19 

• Wear a high-quality mask around others or when indoors for 10 days following the exposure
• Seek testing and avoid others if symptoms develop
• Test at least 5 full days after your first exposure 
• If your test is negative, continue to take precautions around others through Day 10 
• If your test is positive, see the guidance below 

COVID-19 Isolation Guidelines- If You Test Positive for COVID-19 

• Stay home and isolate away from others for at least 5 full days 
• Ending isolation depends on how serious your symptoms are 
• If you have no symptoms, you may end your isolation after Day 5 
• If you have symptoms, follow guidance on when to end isolation
• Continue to mask through Day 10  
• You can remove your mask after Day 5 if you have two sequential negative rapid antigen tests taken 48 hours apart 

Visit the CDC website to learn more about COVID-19 and how to keep yourself and your community safe.  

Reminder: Back to School Vaccines

By now, most of us have returned to the classroom, but did you remember to return to the doctor? Back to School vaccines are an important part of this season, so make sure you are up-to-date! 

One important note for high school students needing the Meningococcal vaccine: While Men B does a lot to keep us healthy, it does not meet the back-to-school vaccine requirement of the MCV4 vaccine. Talk with your doctor to be sure your child is getting the best vaccine before returning to school this year. 

Check out more about back-to-school health resources here. 

Join the Latinx Health Fair!

Though we're in no rush for summer to come to an end, there is a lot to get excited about this fall. Like Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15. We are joining UVA Health's Latino Health Initiative (LHI) on Saturday, October 14 from 12:00-4:00pm at Albemarle High School for their 2023 Latinx Health Fair. If your organization offers health and wellness or community-based services – and you want to reach Spanish speakers – then the Latinx Health Fair is for you! Registration is now open through Friday, September 1. Register online or contact Hilda, Latinx Health Fair Coordinator, with questions.

Aunque no estamos apurados porque el verano llegue a su fin, hay mucho por lo que emocionarse este otoño. Del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre se celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana. Esperamos con entusiasmo unirnos a nuestros socios de CHIP de la Iniciativa de Salud Latina (LHI) de UVA Health el sábado 14 de octubre, de 12:00 pm a 4:00 pm en la Escuela Secundaria Albemarle, para su Feria de Salud Latinx 2023. Si su organización ofrece servicios comunitario de salud y bienestar, y desea llegar a los hispanohablantes, ¡la Feria de la Salud Latinx es para usted! Las inscripciones están abiertas hasta el viernes 1 de septiembre. Regístrese en línea y si tiene preguntas comuníquese con Hilda, Coordinadora de la Feria de Salud Latinx.

CHIP Update

Transportation

Thanks to a grant from AARP Virginia and convening by the Charlottesville Area Alliance, transit agencies, community partners, and riders will come together for two 2-hour virtual workshops, facilitated by MPact Mobility, to build consensus on the best solution for community inclusion. 

Know someone who lives in Fluvanna or Louisa and regularly utilizes Jaunt for transportation? We want them to participate! Participants are compensated for their time. Email Jen Fleisher, CHIP Program Officer, by Friday September 8.

Healthcare Workforce

The Medicaid expansion workgroup is hosting a webinar with dentists and the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). Any dentist office interested in accepting Medicaid patients can come to this question-and-answer information session on Zoom, Friday, September 15, from 1:00-2:00pm. In October, we'll host a call for dentists who currently accept Medicaid patients. More on that soon. For now, spread the word, and the smiles! Send your questions by Friday, September 1 to get them answered on the call. 

Hepatitis C & HIV Community Education Session Next Month

Mark your calendars! The Blue Ridge Rapid Community HIV Testing (CHT) team will be hosting a Hepatitis C & HIV 101 Learning Session on Tuesday, September 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Dr, Charlottesville VA 22903 via Door #3). 

This workshop will teach the basics of Hepatitis C & HIV and empower community members to stop the spread of infection. Free rapid testing for HIV and Hepatitis C will be offered, as well as free condoms, lube, and dental dams. 

Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVPing is highly encouraged. 

Training Needs Assessment (TNA) for the Outreach Network 

We are launching our Outreach Network this fall! This professional network provides an opportunity for outreach professionals (Community Health Workers, Family Support Workers, Outreach Workers, Peer Recovery Specialists, and other similar positions) to network, collaborate, participate in trainings, and access continuing education opportunities. 

To help us best determine what skills and experiences outreach professionals want, we are conducting a Training Needs Assessment (TNA). The TNA will also determine the preferred format and other logistics of future trainings and events throughout 2024. 

Complete the TNA here. If you have any questions, contact Jennifer Reilly, BRHD Outreach Network Coordinator. 

See Ya, Kim!

What were you doing in 1984? One special person was just starting her career in public health at BRHD.

For the last 39 years, Kim has been a dedicated member of the Blue Ridge Health District team and a pivotal part of our Administration Department. This week, she is officially retiring. While we are sad to see her go, we send her off with endless appreciation for her years of service and well wishes for the very best retirement. See ya later, Kim!