August 12, 2021
Media Contact: Risk Communications Manager Lorrie Andrew-Spear, lorrie.andrew-spear@vdh.virginia.gov
Pittsylvania-Danville Health District Urges Attendees of Recent School Board Meeting to Monitor their Health
Potential COVID-19 Exposure at August 10 Pittsylvania County School Board Meeting
(Danville, Va.) — The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District (PDHD) is investigating potential exposures to COVID-19 after identifying a positive case at the Pittsylvania County School Board meeting Tuesday, August 10. The health department is advising anyone in attendance at the School Board meeting on August 10 to self-monitor for symptoms through August 24.
Those who attended should consider limiting exposure to others, especially those who are unvaccinated, too young to be vaccinated, or are immunocompromised. See the additional guidelines on “What to do if you were potentially exposed to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).” You may also want to be tested for COVID-19. The test is best administered at least five days after a possible exposure, which would be August 15. Testing is readily available from many local pharmacies, clinics and physicians. Find convenient testing locations at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing-sites/.
Attendees are encouraged to monitor for the symptoms of COVID-19 infection for the next 14 days, through August 24. Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, headache, chills, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a new loss of taste or smell. Individuals who develop symptoms that could be COVID-19 infection should contact their healthcare provider and strongly consider being tested for COVID-19. Anyone with chest pain, shortness of breath or a fever of 103 or higher should call 911 immediately.
COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly across the United States and in the PDHD. Getting vaccinated remains the most important step in protecting yourself and others. Evidence continues to show that vaccines are safe and effective and offer good protection against the variants currently circulating. To find a vaccination site near you, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or www.vaccines.gov. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, its safety and find answers to frequently asked questions on VDH’s website and CDC’s website. Anyone with concerns about the vaccination should contact their personal healthcare provider.
PDHD and the Pittsylvania County School System continue to work closely together to protect the health of our community. For questions about this situation, contact your local health district. More information about COVID-19 can be found at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.
# # #