August 25, 2020
Media Contact: Robert Parker, public information officer, Western Region, robert.parker@vdh.virginia.gov
CENTRAL SHENANDOAH HEALTH DISTRICT SHIFTS HOTLINE STAFF TO INVESTIGATIONS AND CONTACT TRACING
Hotline will be discontinued August 31
(STAUNTON, Virginia) — On Monday, August 31 the Central Shenandoah Health District will discontinue the Regional COVID-19 hotline at 855-949-8378. This hotline has been in service for the Shenandoah Valley and Near Southwest regions of Virginia since March 2020.
“As the pandemic continues, we have responded to many different and evolving community needs. We’ve established multiple ways to provide public information and education regarding COVID-19. This was the initial purpose for the hotline,” said Laura Kornegay, M.D., director for the Central Shenandoah Health District and acting director for the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts.
“Going forward, the public health professionals currently staffing the hotline will shift to case investigation and contact tracing efforts to reduce and prevent COVID-19 transmission in our communities,” said Dr. Kornegay. “This is particularly important as students return to school, in local K-12 school divisions, institutions of higher education and all our public and private schools at every level.”
The Virginia Department of Health continues to operate a statewide hotline at 877-ASK-VDH3 (877-275-8343), which serves residents Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Local health departments continue to provide resources for services and information. Contact information for local health departments is available at www.vdh.virginia.gov.
VDH continues to urge all Virginians to do their part to control the spread of COVID-19 by staying home as much as possible, wearing a face covering, washing your hands and surfaces, staying physically distant, staying home when you’re sick and avoiding crowds and any close contact with anyone not in your household.
For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
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