Reminder:  Schedule Vaccination Appointment by Clicking Date & Location

January 24: Mathews Health Department, 536 Church St. Mathews, VA 23109 10am-12pm Pfizer Clinic 12 years old and up including boosters!

January 24: Mathews Health Department, 536 Church St. Mathews, VA 23109 2pm-4pm Pfizer Clinic 5-11 years old

January 25: Westmoreland Health Department, 18849 Kings Hwy. Montross, VA 22502 10am-1pm Moderna Clinic

January 26: Gloucester Health Department, 6882 Main St. Gloucester, VA 23061 10am-12pm Pfizer Clinic 12 years old and over including boosters!

January 26: Gloucester Health Department, 6882 Main St. Gloucester, VA 23061 2pm-4pm Pfizer Clinic 5-11 years old

January 26: King & Queen Health Department, 167 Courthouse Landing Rd. K&Q Courthouse 23085 10am-1pm Moderna Clinic

January 27: Mathews Health Department, 536 Church St. Mathews, VA 23109 10am-1pm Moderna Clinic

January 27: King and Queen Health Department, 167 Courthouse Landing Rd. K&Q Courthouse 23085 10am-12pm Pfizer Clinic 12 years old and over including boosters!

January 27: King and Queen Health Department, 167 Courthouse landing Rd. K&Q Courthouse 23085 2pm-4pm Pfizer Clinic 5-11 years old

January 29: SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENT AT 2 LOCATIONS! Essex Mobile Home Park, 7 King St, Tappahannock, VA 22560 from 10am-12pm and Next to Essex County Town Offices, 915 US Route 360 from 1pm-3pm. Call  1-877-829-4682 to make an appointment. Walk-in's are also welcome! Available vaccines include J&J, Moderna and Pfizer (12 years old and up!) Boosters too!!!

February 1: : Northumberland Health Department – 6373 Northumberland Hwy Heathsville, VA 22473 10am-1pm Moderna Clinic

February 3: King William Health Department – 172 Courthouse Lane, King William, VA 23085 10am-1pm. Moderna Clinic

February 7: SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENT! Emmaus Baptist Church, 13974 VA-14, North, VA 23128 2pm-6pm Call  1-877-829-4682 to make an appointment. Walk-in's are also welcome! Available vaccines include J&J, Moderna and Pfizer (12 years old and up!) Boosters too!!!

February 8: Mathews Health Department – 536 Church St. Mathews, VA 23109 10am – 1pm Moderna Clinic

February 10: Richmond Health Department – 5591 Richmond Road Warsaw, VA 22572 10am – 1pm Moderna Clinic

February 15: King and Queen Health Department – 167 Courthouse Landing Road, King and Queen Courthouse, VA 23085 10am-1pm Moderna Clinic

February 17: Westmoreland Health Department – 18849 Kings Hwy, Montross, VA 22520 10am-1pm Moderna Clinic

February 18: SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENT! First Morning Star Baptist Church 8906 Guinea Road Hayes, VA 23072 2pm-6pm Moderna and Pfizer (12 years old and over) Clinic.

February 22: Lancaster Health Department – 9049 Mary Ball Rd Lancaster, VA 22503 10am-1pm Moderna Clinic

February 24: Gloucester Health Department – 6889 Main Street Gloucester, VA 23061 10am-1pm Moderna Clinic

Reminder:  Testing appointments must be made by calling 804-815-4191

Wednesday, January 26:  Middlesex County Health Department – By appointment only (Rapid or PCR) Call 804-815-4191

Friday, January 28: Middlesex County Health Department – By appointment only (Rapid or PCR) Call 804-815-4191

Saturday, January 29 from 10am-1pm: Lancaster Middle School - 191 School St, Kilmarnock, VA 22482- PCR Testing--NO APPT NEEDED (24-48 hours return for results)

Monday, January 31: Middlesex County Health Department – By appointment only (Rapid or PCR) Call 804-815-4191

Vaccine Search & Scheduling Engine

Virginia COVID-19 Testing Sites

Virginia COVID-19 Treatment Locator

The Omicron variant is dominant in the United States.  There are many COVID-19 breakthrough infections and reinfections with Omicron; vaccination, however, remains effective in preventing serious disease and death.  The majority of hospitalized people are unvaccinated.  The next largest group are partially vaccinated people and people who have not been boosted.  Preventing serious COVID-19 disease is critically important to protect our highly stressed hospitals.  Please get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.  If you are vaccinated, and eligible for a booster dose, please get the booster dose as soon as possible.  More details on the recommended COVID-19 vaccination and booster schedules for all ages may be found at http://vaccinate.virginia.gov/.

Please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA to find vaccination opportunities near you.  Appointment opportunities in Three Rivers Health District vaccination clinics are available at the Three Rivers Health District Website:  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/three-rivers/

Flu vaccine is now widely available.  This flu season is likely to be far more severe than we saw last year.  Please get your flu shot, it’s not too late. 

Pandemic Status:  COVID-19 cases have dropped in the United States

• The new case rate in the US is currently about 603,586/day 7 day rolling average according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
• Virginia cases have also decreased slightly: currently we have about 16,000 cases/day 7 day average, new cases, down from 18,600 several days ago. There are many more cases that go unreported and undiagnosed, however.
• Three Rivers case numbers are still high; last week we had 2,163 cases reported across all our jurisdictions.
• The 7 day average number of people hospitalized in Virginia with COVID 19 has increased; it is currently 3,871. We still have regular and ICU bed availability in all regions, but health care system staff remain stressed.
• Vaccination rates continue to slowly climb. About 68.4% of the total population in Virginia is fully vaccinated.
• Levels of community transmission remain HIGH in all Three Rivers jurisdictions. A VDH map showing indicators of community transmission can be found here:  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-in-virginia/community-transmission/

• The CDC has shortened the recommended time for isolation from 10 days to 5 days for people with COVID-19, if asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. CDC is also updating the recommended quarantine period for those exposed to someone with COVID-19 to 5 days of quarantine followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.
• The CDC recommendations on insolation and quarantine can be viewed here: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html

• The Omicron variant is continuing to spread very rapidly worldwide and in the Commonwealth. The Omicron variant is as transmissible as measles, which is the most highly contagious pathogen known.
  • People who have previously had COVID-19 are becoming re-infected more easily with Omicron. Infection post vaccination is also occurring more frequently with Omicron.  Omicron causes less severe disease in most people, but severe disease and deaths are occurring, especially in the unvaccinated population.  Local hospital data show about 60% unvaccinated, 30% partially vaccinated or not boosted, and 10% vaccinated/boosted inpatient COVID-19 patient census.
  • Hospitalization rates in the United States are high due to the extremely high case rates even with less severe disease. In Virginia, our hospital staff are being stressed due to high case rates, staff attrition due to COVID-19 illness and other factors, and facility capacity.
  • On January 10th, Governor Northam issued Executive Order 84, entitled “ACTION TO PROVIDE CERTAIN OPERATIONAL RELIEF FOR HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS, VIA DECLARATION OF A LIMITED STATE OF EMERGENCY”. The order can be viewed here:  https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-84-Action-to-Provide-Certain-Operational-Relief-for-Hospitals-and-Healthcare-Workers,-Via-Declaration-of-a-Limited-State-of-Emergency.pdf
• Laboratory studies show that booster shots dramatically increase antibody levels against the COVID-19 virus. T-cell immunity from vaccination and previous infection appears to remain effective against Omicron.  Even though the Omicron variant is demonstrating the ability to evade immunity by vaccination or previous infection with another variant, COVID-19 vaccination remains protective against severe COVID-19 disease and death.
• Preliminary study results of some antigen tests using patient samples containing live virus suggest that antigen tests detect the omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity. FDA documentation can be viewed here:  SARS-CoV-2 Viral Mutations: Impact on COVID-19 Tests:  https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/sars-cov-2-viral-mutations-impact-covid-19-tests
• Current effective COVID-19 therapies against Omicron include monoclonal antibody treatment (Sotrovimab) and the antiviral agents Paxlovid, Molnupiravir, and Remdesivir. Evusheld is a product designed to be administered to vulnerable individuals for pre-exposure prophylaxis. The VDH has developed a Treatment Locator Tool.  The Locator Tool provides locations that may have these COVID-19 treatments; please note not all sites will have appointment availability or treatments available. Supply of the products is limited. Provider prescription is required for monoclonal antibodies, pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention), and oral antiviral pills. Many administration sites listed on the locator require a physician referral and an appointment.  The locator tool can be found here:  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/mabs/covid-19-treatment-locator/
• Immunity wanes at about the 6 month interval from both vaccine induced immunity and from natural immunity following infection. Studies agree that vaccination following natural infection and booster vaccinations provide enhanced protection.  For further information, a CDC document entitled Science Brief:  SARS-CoV-2 Infection-induced and Vaccine-induced Immunity, can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/vaccine-induced-immunity.html#anchor_1635539757101
• All persons 18 years of age up who have completed a primary series of mRNA vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) are recommended to receive a booster vaccine at least 5 months after their initial vaccination. Individuals 12 -17 years of age are recommended to receive a booster dose with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 5 months after completion of primary vaccination.  Adults 18 years of age and up who received a J&J vaccine are also recommended for a booster dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least 28 days after initial vaccination.  The ability to "mix and match" a booster vaccine after the primary series of vaccine remains.
• The CDC updated its mask guidance on 14 January in response to the highly contagious Omicron Variant. CDC key points include:
  • Masking is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask.
  • To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, CDC continues to recommend that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently.
  • Masks and respirators are effective at reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, when worn consistently and correctly.
  • Some masks and respirators offer higher levels of protection than others, and some may be harder to tolerate or wear consistently than others. It is most important to wear a well-fitted mask or respirator correctly that is comfortable for you and that provides good protection.
  • While all masks and respirators provide some level of protection, properly fitted respirators provide the highest level of protection. Wearing a highly protective mask or respirator may be most important for certain higher risk situations, or by some people at increased risk for severe disease.
• COVID-19 vaccination remains the most important tool to protect people from SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. In addition to vaccination, the layering of other public health recommendations for stopping the spread of COVID-19 (e.g., masking, distancing, hand washing, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, getting testing and isolating at home as appropriate) remain important. Everyone should continue to keep up good prevention practices to protect themselves and others.
• Vaccines will remain readily available to all unvaccinated individuals and individuals eligible for boosters as our highest priority. We recommend COVID 19 vaccination for everyone eligible in the strongest possible terms.

• With the Omicron surge, testing capacity and availability is once again severely stressed due to inadequate national supply of rapid antigen tests.
• VDH is opening up testing sites called Community Testing Centers (CTC) in each of the localities where the CVCs are located below. All are fixed locations and will not be mobile.  They are either in a building on site, or a climate controlled sub-floor tent close by.  These centers are scheduled to open over the next week.  Tests will be by appointment only.  Virginians with questions about the testing may call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1).
• We are conducting COVID 19 testing in our local health departments in conjunction with our continued vaccination outreach. COVID-19 Rapid Testing and PCR Testing are available through the Three Rivers Health District COVID-19 Testing Team by appointment.  Please call your local health department or call 804-815-4191 to schedule an appointment for testing.
• Vendor provided testing events are being offered in schools as part of the VISSTA program, under the purview of the VDH Central Office.
• Beginning on January 19, 2022, Americans will be able to order at-home rapid COVID-19 tests online at COVIDTests.gov. Health insurers will begin to cover COVID-19 tests beginning on January 15, 2022, and 10 million more tests will be available to schools across the nation.  Details are available here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/14/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-to-begin-distributing-at-home-rapid-covid-19-tests-to-americans-for-free/
• Due to extreme case loads, our containment team has one again moved to priority case investigation and contact tracing in accordance with established VDH recommendations.

• Schools have resumed their schedules of classes and activities.
• Governor Youngkin signed EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWO AND ORDER OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ONE REAFFIRMING THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS IN THE UPBRINGING, EDUCATION, AND CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN on January 15, 2022. The order allows parents to decide whether their child wears a mask in schools or in early childcare programs. It terminates Order of Public Health Emergency Order Ten (2021). It rescinds Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Virginia PreK-12 Schools (updated October 14, 2021) and requires issuing new guidance consistent with this Order.

School districts should arrange resources available to improve inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement and upgrades of equipment to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and non-mechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification, fans, control systems and window and door repair. This executive order will go into effect on January 24, 2022, and can be viewed here: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/74---eo/74---eo/EO-2---School-Mask-Mandate-Executive-Order-Exception.pdf

• The CDC has updated its COVID-19 Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools to reflect new recommendations for isolation for people with COVID-19 and recommendations for people who have come into close contact with a person with COVID-19. The updated guidance emphasizes the benefits of in-person learning, vaccinations, and in-school mitigation measures.  The new K-12 CDC guidance can be found here:   https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html
• We will follow each school system closely and be ready to support them in any way we can as we progress into the season of highest respiratory disease transmission risk.

• The FDA fact sheets for recipients and caregivers for the Pfizer vaccine can be found here: https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download
• The FDA fact sheet for recipients and caregivers for the Moderna vaccine can be found here: https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download
• The FDA fact sheet for recipients and caregivers for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine can be found here: https://www.fda.gov/media/146305/download
• The Virginia Department of Health is maintaining COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboards, which are available here: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines-received/ and here: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-summary/
• The VDH COVID 19 outbreak dashboard can be found here: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-data-insights/
• The VDH COVID 19 Variants of Concern Dashboard can be accessed here: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-data-insights/variants-of-concern/
• Links to useful information about COVID 19 myths and facts:
  1. American Academy of Family Physicians: https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/patient_care/public_health/COVID19-Vaccine-Myths.pdf
  2. CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html

• American Association of Medical Colleges: https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/transcript-vaccinevoices-covid-19-vaccine-myths-debunked