Faith-based Organizations

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Faith-based Organizations

COVID-19 Media Resources

COVID-19 Signage Toolkit

Robust flyers, posters and print-outs to support businesses, schools, and organizations: handwashing, distance, hand sanitizer, feeling sick, carpooling, grocery, table-toppers, stickers, + more.

COVID-19 Therapeutics

Posters to create awareness around available treatment options for those who test positive for COVID-19.

Support public health in Virginia on social media! Find social media shareables and popular images to share on your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Factors to Consider

For many faith traditions, gathering together for worship is at the heart of what it means to be a community of faith.

Individuals should consider their personal risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 before attending an in-person worship service. Attending an indoor service, including services with singing, is generally considered safe for someone who is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.

When determining your personal level of risk, here are some factors to consider:

Vaccination Status

The best way to protect yourself and others in a worship setting is to get up to date on COVID-19 vaccines . If you are gathering with people you know, encourage them to be up to date as well.

Level of COVID-19 spread in the community

COVID-19 Community Levels are classified as low, medium, or high. The levels are determined by the number of new COVID-19 cases in the community in addition to data from local hospitals.

Your own health status

Your own health status, such as whether you have a weakened immune system or have a medical condition that places you at high risk of having severe illness.

Consider also if you live with or will be having social contact with someone who is at high risk of having severe illness.

Consider self-testing to detect infection before any contact with them, especially when the COVID-19 Community Level is medium or high.

Father and two children praying in front of a computer

Additional Considerations

Singing and playing wind instruments are thought to be higher risk activities for spreading COVID-19. Maintaining distance between musicians and increasing the ventilation (or rehearsing/performing outside) can reduce this risk. 

Outdoor or drive-in services are considered safer options for individuals who are not up to date on vaccinations or who have compromised immune systems.

Best Practices

Faith-based organizations should consider following  VDH Recommendations for Businesses and other Establishments (PDF) (3 pp, 635 KB) for layered prevention strategies to prevent COVID-19.

Resources and Information

Vaccination

To protect everyone in your congregation, encourage vaccination. Encourage all community members to get vaccinated for COVID-19 by going to Vaccinate.Virginia.gov or calling 1-877-VAX-IN-VA.

Boosters

Vaccine Booster

Use this chart to find out if you're eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster and which one.

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Vaccination hesitancy:
Tele-Town Halls

VDH is offering providers a FREE tele-health platform, presentation templates and all the technical support you need​ to communicate with your patients about vaccine hesitancy.

CDC Quarantine + Isolation Calculator

A tool to help determine how long you need to isolate, quarantine, or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19.

Treatments

COVID-19 treatments can help prevent severe illness in high-risk patients to help keep them out of the hospital. Learn about your medication options if you are at high risk for developing severe disease [Español].

Support for those that tested positive or exposed

Care Resource Coordination (CRC) is a program for people who were exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19 and need support to isolate or quarantine safely.

Deaf + Hard of Hearing Resources

Last Updated:  December 7, 2022

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