Tag: LENOWISCO

Virginia Department of Health Offers Free Testing for Private Wells Impacted by Recent Flood

February 21, 2025

Environmental Health Contacts:
Brian Stanley, Cumberland Plateau Health District, 276-415-3370
Brad Stallard, LENOWISCO Health District, 276-328-1933

Virginia Department of Health Offers Free Testing for Private Wells Impacted by Recent Flood
Any Wells Submerged Due to Flooding are at Risk

WISE, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is offering free test kits for individuals who have residential private drinking water wells impacted by the recent flooding in Southwest Virginia. Any well submerged during the recent flooding event is likely to be contaminated, even if there is no apparent damage.

The free private well test kits are available to residents in the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts. To qualify for testing, the well must first be disinfected and flushed. VDH recommends having a well driller assist with this process. For those choosing to disinfect the well themselves, all safety precautions and instructions should be followed using these instructions.

Once well users disinfect and flush their well, a free test kit can be requested by calling one of the following health departments:

  • Buchanan County Health Department – 276-935-4591
  • Dickenson County Health Department – 276-926-4979
  • Lee County Health Department – 276-346-2011
  • Russell County Health Department – 276-889-7621
  • Scott County Health Department – 276-386-1312
  • Tazewell County Health Department – 276-988-5585
  • Wise County Health Department – 276-328-8000

Well water impacted by flooding can have germs that lead to gastrointestinal illness. The kits will include the tools necessary to collect samples for testing for total coliform and E. coli. Test results will only indicate if the well is contaminated.

Tests must be returned Monday through Thursday to the nearest local health department location within the Cumberland Plateau or LENOWISCO health districts. Samples should be delivered to one of the available locations by 4 p.m. on the same day the sample is taken.

For those who have tested their well and need assistance in understanding the test results, visit Well Informed Virginia. For more information about specific concerns regarding private wells contact your local health department or a licensed well driller.

LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts Offer Free Tdap Vaccines

October 1, 2024
Media Contact:
Daniel Hunsucker, LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts, 276-328-8000

LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts Offer Free Tdap Vaccines

WISE, Va. – The LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts are offering free Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) vaccines to those affected by the flooding, responding to emergency situations, or those assisting with the recovery.

Tetanus, sometimes called “lockjaw,” can cause symptoms such as fever, jaw cramping, muscle spasms, and seizures. Tetanus bacteria is found naturally in soil. If you wade through flood water, you could encounter sharp objects and sustain an injury that allows the tetanus bacteria to enter your body. Although tetanus infection is rare, it can be very serious or even fatal.

The best way to prevent infection is to be vaccinated prior to exposure, which is why all adults should receive tetanus shots every 10 years. However, tetanus vaccination is still effective if given within 48 hours after an injury.

You may need a tetanus booster shot if:

  • It has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus vaccination.
  • You have a puncture wound and it has been more than five years since your last tetanus vaccination.
  • You have a wound that has come in contact with flood water, and it has been more than five years since your last tetanus vaccination.

If you’re not sure if you need a tetanus vaccine, contact your primary care provider or your local health department. For more information on immunization, visit: www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/.

The vaccines are available for free at all health departments in Cumberland Plateau (Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell) and in LENOWISCO (Lee, Scott, Wise) during regular business hours, Monday-Friday.

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Southwest Virginia Health Districts Conducting Long COVID Study

July 15, 2024
Media Contact: Linda Scarborough, PIO, linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov

Southwest Virginia Health Districts Conducting Long COVID Study

LYNCHBURG, Va. –  The Central Virginia Health District began a Long COVID surveillance project in October of 2023 that is now available to all residents of Southwest Virginia. Long COVID is when a person is still sick two or more months after getting COVID-19. Symptoms can include trouble breathing, a cough, feeling weak and tired, and problems with certain organs, such as the heart, brain, or lungs. A diagnosis of Long COVID is not required to participate. We want to learn about any long-term effects that people might have two or more months after a COVID-19 infection.

To participate in the study, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Had COVID-19 at least once or been diagnosed with Long COVID
  2. Experienced symptoms lasting at least two months after a COVID infection
  3. Must be a resident of one of the following health districts: Roanoke City and Alleghany, Central Virginia, Cumberland Plateau, LENOWISCO, Mount Rogers, New River, Pittsylvania-Danville, Southside, or West Piedmont.

If you qualify and would like to enroll, go to  https://redcap.link/virginialongcovidstudy. A member from our team will make contact, review consent, and complete a phone interview. Individuals will then be asked to participate in follow up interviews in three and six months after the initial interview.

Findings from the study will be submitted for future publication and presentation to the scientific community and made available at CVHD.org. The purpose of the study is to improve our understanding of how Long COVID affects the residents of rural Virginia, assess the quality of support participants have received, and identify Long COVID resource needs.

Additional questions about the project can be directed to Cali Anderson at cali.anderson@vdh.virginia.gov. For more information about Long COVID, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/protect-yourself/longcovid/

LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts Offering Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccines

September 9, 2022

Media Contact:
Allie Phillips, population health manager, allison.phillips@vdh.virginia.gov, (276)-415-3360

LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts Offering Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccines

 WISE, Va. – The Lenowisco and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts now offer free Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccinations. While the initial vaccines (monovalent) targeted the original strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, these updated boosters are targeted specifically at the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the Omicron variant.

Any person aged 12 years and older are eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech updated bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since completing the primary vaccination series or receiving the most recent booster with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.

Those who are 18 years and older are eligible for the Moderna updated bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since completing the primary vaccination series or receiving the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.

These updated boosters are now available at all health departments within both districts. If you are interested in receiving a bivalent booster vaccine, please call your local health department to schedule an appointment.

LENOWISCO Health District:

Lee County Health Department – 276-346-2011

Scott County Health Department – 276-386-1312

Wise County & City of Norton Health Department – 276-328-8000


Cumberland Plateau Health District:

Buchanan County Health Department – 276-935-4591

Dickenson County Health Department – 276-926-4979

Russell County Health Department – 276-889-7621

Tazewell County Health Department – 276-988-5585

Everyone 6 months and older is eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts encourage all Virginians to get their vaccination if they haven’t already done so. For more information on COVID-19 in Virginia, visit vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.

LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts Offering Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine

August 19, 2022

Media Contact:
Allie Phillips, population health manager, allison.phillips@vdh.virginia.gov, (276)-415-3360

LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts  Offering Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine 

WISE, Va. – The Lenowisco and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts will now offer a fourth vaccine choice for individuals in the community who are seeking a COVID-19 vaccine. On July 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the administration of the two-dose Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for the primary series for adults aged 18 years and older. 

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine gives individuals who may have an allergic reaction to mRNA vaccines or have a personal preference for receiving a vaccine other than one based on the mRNA technology, a new option for vaccination. 

“This new COVID-19 vaccination option is another important tool we are able to offer in our quest to combat this virus”, said Allie Phillips, population health manager, LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts. “This addition expands the options for adults to receive a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. It is especially important for those individuals who may have previously been reluctant to get vaccinated against this potentially deadly virus. As we continue to see cases rise throughout our communities, vaccination is critical to help protect against the complications of severe COVID-19.”

Beginning August 22, this vaccine will be available at all health departments within both districts. If you are interested in receiving Novavax, please call your local health department to schedule an appointment. 

LENOWISCO Health District:

Lee County Health Department – 276-346-2011

Scott County Health Department – 276-386-1312

Wise County & City of Norton Health Department – 276-328-8000

 

Cumberland Plateau Health District:

Buchanan County Health Department – 276-935-4591

Dickenson County Health Department – 276-926-4979

Russell County Health Department – 276-889-7621

Tazewell County Health Department – 276-988-5585

Everyone 6 months and older is eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts encourage all Virginians to get their vaccination if they haven’t already done so. For more information on COVID-19 in Virginia, visit vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.