Author: marianhunter

RICHMOND, Va. – Effective immediately, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is lifting the remaining recreational water advisory for the Potomac River from the American Legion Memorial Bridge (I-495) to the Route 120 Chain Bridge. 

An initial advisory was issued February 13, out of an abundance of caution due to a sewage spill in the Potomac River that occurred January 19, and subsequent reports of a sewage discharges in early February.  

On March 14, DC Water successfully completed emergency repairs and returned the sewage flow to the Potomac Interceptor. Water quality sampling results collected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Maryland, and Washington DC partners indicate bacteria concentrations in the Potomac River outside of the immediate spill site are at levels acceptable for all recreational water use. Virginia residents are advised that Montgomery County, Maryland, is maintaining an advisory for the land areas impacted by the sewage overflow and portions of the river within 200 feet of the Maryland shoreline between Swainson Island and Lock 8.  This area closest to the spill site is most likely to be affected by runoff, especially after storm events until all remediation efforts are complete. The Virginia Department of Health will continue to monitor sampling data as available.   

Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some health risk because the water is not disinfected. Children under the age of five years, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness from natural bodies of water. VDH recommends the following safety tips for people planning to swim, wade, kayak, canoe or go rafting in Virginia natural waters: 

• Avoid getting water in your mouth. Never swallow water from an untreated water source. 

• Don’t swim if you have broken skin. Bacteria, viruses and other organisms can infect wounds causing more serious illness. 

• Shower with soap and water after recreating in natural waters. 

• Don’t swim when you are ill. 

• Avoid swimming if dead fish are present. 

• Following heavy rain events use extreme caution and avoid unnecessary risks if you encounter covered roads or fast-moving waters. The water may be deeper and moving faster than you think. 

For more information on water safety, please visit SwimHealthyVA.com. 

For updates on the repair status, visit DC Water. For information pertaining to sampling efforts across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC please visit https://potomacinterceptor.dc.gov.  

RICHMOND, VA — As severe weather is forecast to move across the Commonwealth today and into the evening hours, Governor Abigail Spanberger is urging Virginians to prepare for the potential of damaging winds, tornadoes, heavy rain, and large hail. Virginia emergency officials are closely monitoring conditions and coordinating with local partners to ensure resources are ready should severe weather impact communities.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) — in coordination with local emergency managers, the National Weather Service, and state agencies — has activated preparedness measures to monitor the evolving forecast and ensure rapid response capabilities as storms develop. Virginia state agencies remain in close communication with local governments and will provide support as needed to respond to storm impacts.

“Today’s forecast calls for potentially dangerous storms across much of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “As conditions can change rapidly, I encourage all Virginians to stay aware of the weather, review safety tips, and be prepared to take shelter from severe storms. Virginians can stay informed to help protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Preparedness Tips for Virginians: 

• Monitor trusted weather sources and enable emergency alerts on your phone.
• Identify a safe shelter location in your home, such as an interior room on the lowest floor away from windows.
• Secure outdoor items that could become projectiles in strong winds.
• Charge mobile devices and ensure flashlights and batteries are available in case of power outages.
• Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, especially during the evening hours.

Virginians are encouraged to follow updates from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and local emergency management offices for the latest safety information and weather updates. Click here for more safety tips from VDEM.

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(RICHMOND, Va.) — The Commonwealth of Virginia has officially joined the Northeast Public Health Collaborative (NEPHC). The Northeast Public Health Collaborative is a voluntary regional coalition of public health agencies and leaders brought together to share expertise, improve coordination, enhance capacity, strengthen regional readiness, and promote and protect evidence-based public health. 

“Threats to people’s health do not stop at state lines, and neither should our coordination. This partnership gives Virginia access to real time expertise and stronger regional alignment so we can better respond to outbreaks, keep routine vaccinations on track, and share critical information during emergencies,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin Figueroa. “Joining this collaborative ensures that Virginia remains proactive and prepared not just for today’s challenges, but for the ones we cannot yet see.”  

“This collaborative relationship has a lot of technical benefits for Virginians,” said State Health Commissioner B. Cameron Webb, MD, JD. “By working alongside neighboring jurisdictions, we strengthen our ability to share best and promising practices, identify emerging trends earlier, and coordinate strategies that protect and improve the health of Virginians. This multi-state effort reflects our commitment to learn together, act proactively, and ensure communities across the Commonwealth will start seeing positive public health outcomes as the norm.”  

Virginia joins several state and local public health departments throughout the Northeast region as NEPHC members, including Boston, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York State, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.   

All state and local jurisdictions in the Collaborative retain sovereign authority and roles, as each has unique knowledge of their demographics, the challenges they face and the legal and policy constructs under which they operate. But by working in collaboration with other jurisdictions, members of the NEPHC can improve their capabilities and institutional resiliency, thereby saving time and resources through shared planning and responding to the needs of those they serve.   

The Collaborative has already formed interjurisdictional working groups to identify opportunities for collaboration and shared planning across multiple public health disciplines including public health emergency preparedness and response, vaccine recommendations and purchasing, data collection and analysis, infectious disease, epidemiology and laboratory capacity and services.  

Across all areas of public health – from heath care associated infections to infectious disease epidemiology and from vaccinations and immunizations to emergency preparedness – Virginians will benefit from this new approach to and new level of regional cooperation and collaboration. 

Virginia health secretary Marvin Figueroa and health commissioner Cameron Webb are steering the state’s public health agencies as state health departments nationwide grapple with federal shifts that threaten to drain budgets and slash workforces. Read more.>>

Virginia’s new public health leaders take the helm as state agencies weather uncharted waters

 

(RICHMOND, Va.) — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) recently launched its new logo to reflect a unified identity and strengthened commitment to Virginia’s EMS providers, system partners and the communities they serve.  

The refreshed logo honors OEMS’ core values and responsibility to ensure quality prehospital care to all people in Virginia, while aligning with VDH’s main brand identity and vision. The new OEMS logo also highlights the future of EMS in Virginia, as it moves toward a more accountable and sustainable office and EMS system.   

“The new OEMS logo symbolizes the progress we continue to make as an office and as part of the broader EMS system at the state and national levels,” said OEMS Director Dr. Maria Beermann-Foat. “It reflects both our history and our future as we continue to strengthen our identity and reinforce our role in the advancement of quality prehospital emergency care in our communities. It also underscores our reestablished commitment to Virginia’s EMS providers as part of the wider VDH mission to protect and promote the health of Virginians.”  

A lot of thought and care went into the symbolism of this logo, which is steeped in EMS tradition, including the Star of Life and the Rod of Asclepius – all images that are synonymous with the EMS profession and the healthcare field. The logo also highlights the state of Virginia to illustrate inclusiveness and care for all people in the commonwealth. Learn more about the logo design and style guide.   

OEMS will begin transitioning to the new logo immediately, along with the seven designated OEMS regions. However, full implementation is expected to take several months, as we phase out our legacy logo during this time.   

To learn more about OEMS, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/.

Richmond, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reaffirming its commitment to vaccines as an essential tool in protecting the health of children, their families, and their communities. VDH recommends that children are vaccinated in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2026 Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. VDH expects that healthcare providers will continue to rely on their clinical training and professional judgment and consult information published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians when engaging in shared clinical decision-making with parents, caregivers, and patients. 

American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 Immunization Schedule 

On January 26, 2026, the AAP published their Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, US, 2026, formally endorsed by 12 medical and healthcare organizations. This schedule routinely recommends vaccines against 18 diseases. VDH believes the AAP schedule optimally protects Virginia’s children and adolescents against vaccine-preventable diseases.  Vaccines remain widely accessible in Virginia. VDH anticipates that Virginia healthcare providers will continue to offer these vaccines to children and adolescents. Patients should call their healthcare provider to confirm the availability of vaccines and ask questions about which vaccines are best for them.    

“Vaccines remain one of the most powerful public health tools that we have to keep Virginia families and communities healthy,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb. “The majority of Virginians  choose to vaccinate their children against these diseases. VDH continues to support Virginia’s families and healthcare providers by ensuring we reinforce science-based public health recommendations to inform those healthcare decisions. The recent increases in measles cases in Virginia and the United States are a strong reminder of the importance and power of vaccines to protect our health.”  

Virginia’s Vaccine Requirements for School Attendance Remain Unchanged 

Virginia school entrance requirements are outlined in Virginia statute and remain unchanged. Additional information on school immunization requirements can also be found on our webpage: School Requirements – Immunization.  

If you have questions about vaccines or vaccine-preventable diseases, please talk to your healthcare provider or contact your local health department for more information.  

RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement urging Virginians to protect their families from carbon exposure poisoning by following all Virginia Department of Health (VDH) guidance as the Commonwealth sees a rise in emergency room visits. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –  December 17, 2025
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Health Officials Investigating a Potential Measles Exposure in Central and Southwest Regions
Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health was notified of a confirmed measles case in a person who visited the Central and Southwest Regions of Virginia while infectious. The confirmed case is a resident of another state. To protect the patient’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed.

“Vaccination remains the best protection against measles,” said Virginia State Epidemiologist Laurie Forlano, D.O., M.P.H, “This latest exposure is a good reminder to check your vaccination status, especially before holiday travel.”

Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of the potential exposure sites in Virginia:

• The Home Depot, located at 250 Frank D. Harris Drive in South Hill, Friday, December 5 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Wagon Wheel Cafe, located at 408 Main St. in Kenbridge, Saturday, December 6 from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Lynchburg Livestock Market, located at 243 Livestock Road in Rustburg, Monday, December 8 from 3:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• McDonald’s, located at 11059 Wards Road, Rustburg, Monday, December 8 from 4:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Any additional exposure sites identified in Virginia will be posted to the VDH Measles website. Additional exposure sites have been identified in North Carolina.

What to Do If You Have Been Exposed to Measles

Most people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was at the potential exposure sites at the times listed should:

• Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
  • To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal.
  • If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are considered protected.
• Anyone who might have been exposed and is considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider promptly to discuss any questions or concerns.

• Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure. Monitoring for symptoms is especially important for people who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles.

• If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
• The most likely time you would become sick would be between December 12, 2025 – December 29, 2025.
• Contact your local health department by calling (804) 363-2704 or email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov to discuss any additional recommendations.

General Measles Information

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.

Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are at high risk of developing measles if they are exposed. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.

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For Immediate Release: December 16, 2025
Contacts: Office of the Governor: Peter Finocchio, Peter.finocchio@governor.virginia.gov

Governor Glenn Youngkin Highlights Progress on Initiatives to Strengthen Nursing Home Oversight, Modernize Operations, and Increase Transparency

Targeted Actions Include Recruitment Efforts, New Leadership Team, and Technological Initiatives

RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin today highlighted substantial progress made in implementing Executive Order 52, “Strengthening Oversight of Virginia’s Nursing Homes,” signed on August 11, 2025. In just four months, the administration has advanced key initiatives to strengthen nursing home oversight in the Commonwealth. Through this Executive Order, Governor Youngkin directed the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), through its Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC), to make significant advances toward increasing workforce capacity, strengthening nursing home oversight, modernizing operations, and enhancing transparency. These efforts will improve the quality of care for nearly 33,000 nursing home residents.

“Every Virginian deserves confidence that their loved ones in nursing homes are safe, respected, and receiving the care they deserve,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We are taking decisive steps to strengthen oversight, reinforce accountability, and ensure a system worthy of the families who rely on it. I’m grateful to the dedicated teams who are moving quickly and purposefully to deliver these improvements for Virginia.”

“Families place profound trust in the people who care for their loved ones,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly. “Our focus is on honoring that trust by strengthening the conditions for consistent, respectful care, and this progress reflects a system moving in the right direction for the people who depend on it.”

Key Successes Include: 

Recruitment and Filling of Vacancies 

Over the last several months, OLC initiated a targeted recruitment campaign focused on filling Long-Term Care (LTC) Medical Facility Inspector (MFI) positions, supervisors, and other key roles within OLC. Since August, more than 2,000 applications have been received for OLC positions, with the vast majority for MFIs. To date, OLC has hired 13 LTC MFIs, decreasing the LTC MFI vacancy rate from more than 40 percent to 9 percent. Interviews are ongoing, with the goal of filling all remaining LTC MFI roles or extending offers to qualified individuals by the end of the year.

Additionally, OLC has worked to bolster leadership roles specific to LTC. This includes filling two OLC senior leadership positions, the OLC Office Director and the LTC Division Director, as well as filling two supervisor roles, with more offers pending.

These recruitment efforts translated to success in other OLC divisions outside of LTC, including six additional Acute Care MFIs, an Acute Care Supervisor, a COPN Supervisor, a Complaint Coordinator, and a Training Manager.

In addition, OLC established a dedicated Northern Virginia regional office to house a Northern Virginia inspection team, reducing travel demands and incentivizing recruitment and retention efforts in the region. OLC is on track to fill all open medical facility inspector positions by December 31, 2025, significantly reducing vacancy rates and enabling more timely inspections and complaint resolutions.

Process Modernization Efforts 

A significant step forward in how OLC interacts with stakeholders is the launch of a newly created public Complaint Portal. Through the Complaint Portal, VDH will be able to accept complaints digitally from patients and families, nursing home staff, and other stakeholders, with the goal of increasing transparency for the industry and accountability to the public.

The Complaint Portal launched on December 16, 2025, and is accessible on the VDH OLC website at www.vdh.virginia.gov/licensure-and-certification/.

The portal replaces fax and email as the primary methods of receiving complaints and incidents. Intake by mail, phone, and in person will continue to be accepted. The portal automatically generates a complaint submission reference number that is shared with the complainant, enabling Virginians to reference their complaints and reported incidents.

Enhanced Transparency Measures 

Another improvement is the addition of a prominent link on the OLC website directing visitors to a federal nursing home information portal. This resource includes inspection histories, survey results, and facility performance metrics for nursing homes throughout Virginia.

“VDH takes its responsibility to protect the health and safety of nursing home residents in the Commonwealth very seriously,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD. “They may be our parents, spouses, siblings, or children, and it’s our job to ensure they’re healthy, safe, and in an environment where they can thrive.”

“This is a prime example of what a team running together in the right direction for the right reason—guaranteeing that there is proper oversight by professionals dedicated to ensuring Virginia’s nursing homes are providing safe and high-quality care—can accomplish in a short amount of time,” said R. Christopher Lindsay, VDH Chief Operating Officer. “I’m so proud of our HR team, these OLC leaders, our IT team, and VDH for coming together to make this happen.”

Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability Advisory Board 

The Board, comprised of providers, geriatricians, advocates, and stakeholders, has been actively advising the Commissioner on ways to elevate standards and promote resident-centered care. The Board has held three productive meetings (September 15, October 23, and November 14, 2025), featuring discussions on value-based purchasing models, office transformations, and policy recommendations to address nursing home quality.

Virginia’s OLC oversees the licensing and monitoring of nearly 300 nursing homes statewide, encompassing nearly 33,000 beds. Facilities undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance with state laws and—when certified for Medicare and Medicaid—federal requirements. OLC’s team of long-term health care professionals, including physicians, registered nurses, dietitians, and social workers, conducts inspections and investigates consumer complaints. In addition to long-term care, OLC licenses and regulates hospitals, hospice services, and home care organizations, and oversees the state’s Certificate of Public Need (COPN) program and the Cooperative Agreement with Tennessee that guarantees access to health care services in Southwest Virginia.

Learn more about the Office of Licensure and Certification at www.vdh.virginia.gov/licensure-and-certification/.

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Crash Responder Safety Week is November 17-21, 2025

RICHMOND, Va. — As proclaimed by Governor Glenn Youngkin, November 17–21 is Crash Responder Safety Week in Virginia, observed in alignment with the nationwide effort to recognize the critical work of emergency responders and the dangers they face while managing roadway incidents. The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) joins partners across the Commonwealth and the nation in raising awareness and promoting safer conditions for those who protect motorists on our roadways.

Drivers play a critical role in keeping crash responders safe. All motorists are urged to stay alert, slow down, move over into another lane when possible, avoid distractions, and follow instructions from emergency personnel. Virginia’s Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes or, if unable to do so safely, reduce their speed when approaching vehicles with flashing lights on the roadside.

“Safer roadways are in the hands of every driver on the road,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD. “This week is a reminder to slow down, move over, pay attention, and follow directions when approaching roadway incidents. All of us want to get to our destinations safely.”

Crash responders include EMS providers, firefighters, law enforcement, tow operators, medical examiners, and transportation personnel who all play pivotal roles in ensuring the safe and efficient clearance of roadway incidents.

According to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, between 40 and 50 crash responders have been tragically killed nationwide while working roadway incidents over the last ten years. Struck-by-vehicle fatalities represent the majority of these deaths, which occur during traffic stops, crash responses, or while providing roadside assistance.

“Through my experience serving as an EMS provider, I understand the serious risks first responders face when working on busy roadways,” said VDH Chief Operating Officer Christopher Lindsay. “During Crash Responder Safety Week, we must remember the importance of roadway safety and give our responders the space they need to do their jobs safely.”

“Behind every flashing light, there is an emergency responder who has someone waiting for their safe return home,” said Office of EMS Director Maria Beermann-Foat, PhD. “Crash Responder Safety Week reminds us that scene safety starts with every driver at every incident — slow down, move over, stay alert, and help us protect those who protect you.”

Roadway incident safety depends on the protective actions taken by responders and the responsible behavior of drivers. Crash responders undergo specialized Traffic Incident Management training to alert the public, guide traffic safely around the scene, and minimize risk to both responders and motorists.

Remember, when you see flashing lights, stay alert, move over, and slow down. Together, we can build a culture of safety on Virginia’s roadways by taking these precautions and increasing awareness.

To learn more about the VDH’s Office of EMS, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/.