December 9, 2020
Media Contact: Public Information Officer Cat Long, RHHDpr@vdh.virginia.gov
STAY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
RICHMOND, VA – The safest way to spend the holidays this year is to celebrate with those who live in your household. Traveling and gathering multiple households together is not advised. However, if you do gather or travel, Richmond City Health District (RCHD) has resources for you to stay as safe as possible. RCHD is holding multiple COVID-19 testing events leading up to the holidays so people can know their status before gathering and traveling. RCHD is also distributing flu vaccines to help stop the spread of flu, a virus that can weaken your immune system. Dates, times, and locations can be found below and on our website at www.rchd.com.
COVID-19 TESTING EVENTS:
- Thursday, December 10, 2 – 4 p.m. at Southwood Management Property Office (1400 Southwood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23224)
- Friday, December 11, 1 – 3 p.m. at Eastern Henrico Health Department (1400 N Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23223)**
- Monday, December 14, 2 -4 p.m. at Diversity Richmond (1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond, VA 23220)
- Tuesday, December 15, 10 a.m.- 12 pm. at Eastern Henrico Health Department (1400 N Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23223)**
- Thursday, December 17, 2 – 4 p.m., Second Baptist Church (3300 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, VA 23224)**
- Friday, December 18, Regency Square Parking Deck (1420 N Parham Rd, Richmond, VA 23229)**
**indicates drive thru event
Registration is recommended for COVID-19 testing events; please call 804-205-3501.
FLU VACCINATION CLINIC:
- Everyday Monday-Friday throughout December (closed on December 24 and 25), 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Richmond City Health District (400 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23220)
Please bring your insurance ID card if you have one. There is no cost to patients with or without insurance.
“It’s important that we do everything we can to safeguard our health this winter, especially during COVID surges,” explains Karen Carle, R.N., Public Health Nurse, “Getting the flu vaccine just makes sense. We want all Richmonders who want one to get one.”
Getting the flu vaccine is one step in keeping yourself and your community safe this holiday season. The other is to stay home for the holidays or at least get tested before traveling and gathering.
“We know there’s an increased demand [for COVID-19 testing] because people want to be responsible and get tested before they spend time with their families,” explains Lanier Olsson, Community Testing Project Manager, “and we want to support that.”
For more information about RCHD’s flu vaccination and COVID-19 testing services, visit www.rchd.com.
About Richmond City Health District: RCHD is the public health agency serving Richmond’s communities. Our mission is to expose and address the root causes of health disparities, protect health by preventing the spread of disease, and build health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors.